Ghana To Establish Marine Protected Area With Support From Development Partners

The government of Ghana with support from development partners, is taking steps to set up the country’s first-ever marine protected area at Cape Three Points.

Ghana’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Fisheries Commission and development partners are overseeing the establishment of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points area of the Western Region.

As part of the process, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, is leading a ministerial tour of 22 coastal communities within the Ahanta West Municipality to engage stakeholders and deepen understanding of the proposed MPA.

Communities visited so far are Egyambra, Miemia, Awona Beach, Princess Town, Aketakyi, Cape Three Points, Akwidaa, Achonwa, Upper and Lower Dixcove, Busua, Butre, Asemko, Ampatano, Punpuni, Aniahu, Adjua, Funko, New Amanful, and Ketakor.

Madam Arthur says Marine Protected Areas are effective tools for restoring marine ecosystems and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries.

“Protecting critical habitats gives marine life the space to regenerate. This directly benefits fishers, coastal communities, and the national economy,” she stated.

The engagement follows earlier technical consultations by the MPA Committee and aims to prepare the grounds for the formal declaration of the Greater Cape Three Points MPA.

The Minister disclosed that the official announcement will be made soon, following strong community support for the initiative.

Fishers and traditional leaders have welcomed the MPA proposal but have also appealed for accompanying development interventions such as improved roads, electricity, education, and health facilities to support community livelihoods during the transition.In response, Hon. Arthur assured residents that their concerns will be integrated into the implementation plan and communicated to relevant agencies and partners.

The establishment of the MPA is backed by Section 91 of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), which mandates stakeholder consultation prior to marine reserve declaration. The initiative is also aligned with Ghana’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2022) and the Marine Fisheries Management Plan (2022–2026), which identify MPAs as key to rebuilding fish stocks and preserving biodiversity.

At the international level, the initiative fulfills Ghana’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14, particularly targets 14.2 and 14.5, as declared during the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens, Greece, in 2024.

The creation of the Cape Three Points MPA marks a significant step in Ghana’s marine conservation efforts, with a focus on science-based policy, inclusive dialogue, and community ownership.

Source: Africa Publicity