The 10th episode of the Mentorship Sessions featured Mr. Lawrence Dogli, a passionate professional in the maritime industry and Programmes Manager at the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute.
Mr Dogli shared insights into his educational journey, starting from his days at Bishop Herman College. Initially, he aspired to attend Mfantsipim School, but his aunt’s wish to have him closer led him to Bishop Herman, where his interest in marine studies began.
Following secondary school, he enrolled at the Regional Maritime University, inspired by a friend who encouraged him to apply. During his time at the university, he held leadership positions throughout all four years, demonstrating his dedication and commitment.
However, his academic journey was not without challenges. He candidly recounted how he struggled with his procurement course, receiving poor grades that prompted his lecturer to urge him to improve, particularly as he was the class representative. Determined to turn things around, Mr Dogli joined weekend classes, worked diligently, and ultimately achieved a perfect score of 100%. This success earned him a commendation from his lecturer and led to an internship opportunity with his current employer.
Mr Dogli emphasised the critical role of internships as learning opportunities, encouraging young people to actively seek them. He explained that the maritime industry offers unique experiences and that the port systems differ significantly from conventional systems, requiring close attention to their ecosystem.
A key focus of his talk was the importance of women in the maritime industry. He challenged misconceptions that hormonal changes or periods make women unsuitable for maritime careers. He highlighted women’s roles in nautical science, ship captaining, security, and negotiation, particularly in peacekeeping and conflict resolution. Mr Dogli stressed that women’s contributions are invaluable and should never be underestimated.
Additionally, he introduced training programmes at the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute, encouraging young people to apply and consider a career in the maritime industry. His responsibilities at the institute include designing and delivering projects related to ocean sustainability, as well as implementing large-scale programmes. He has worked on policy recommendations for the sustainability of the Yaoundé Architecture, presented to Heads of State under the International Maritime Organization’s “Sustainability of the YCoC Architecture Project.”
In his closing remarks, Mr Dogli offered invaluable advice to the youth to pursue their goals without waiting for everything to be perfect, and avoid taking others’ actions personally, as their intentions may not always align with their behaviour.
Lawrence Dogli’s story is a testament to resilience, growth, and the boundless opportunities available in the maritime sector.
The 2024 edition of the STEM Festival is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by Pepsodent, Jupay, Bel Beverages, YFM and GTP.