Ghana is preparing to declare 21 coastal communities as Marine Protected Areas in a major step toward restoring marine biodiversity and strengthening fisheries management.
The first declaration is expected to take place at Greater Cape Three Points in the Western Region. Once designated, fishing activities within the protected zones will be restricted to allow depleted fish stocks to recover.
Part of the Global 30×30 Target
The move forms part of Ghana’s commitment to the global 30×30 target, which calls for the protection of at least 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean areas by 2030. The goal falls under Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework and has been adopted by more than 190 countries.
Despite the widespread commitment, progress remains slow. Since 2022, global reviews show that only about 2.9 percent of the ocean is fully or highly protected, far below the 30 percent benchmark. Ghana, like many other countries, is still working to close that gap.
Fisheries Commission: Recovery First
Acting Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Professor Kwadwo Berchie Asiedu, announced the plan during the launch of the Save Our Sea campaign. The initiative was organized by the Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists Association in partnership with the Earth Journalism Network.
According to Prof. Asiedu, the Marine Protected Area policy is designed to create safe breeding grounds where fish can spawn and mature without pressure from overfishing.
“The MPA has so many benefits. It’s for the fish to lay their eggs and also for the fish to rest. In that sense, it would increase our catch per unit effort,” he explained, adding that the presidential declaration of the first MPA could happen within the year.
Media Training to Strengthen Marine Reporting
The Save Our Sea training, focused on effective media coverage of marine issues in Ghana, equipped journalists with deeper insight into marine ecology, fisheries laws, illegal transshipment, bottom trawling, and broader ocean conservation challenges.
Country Coordinator of the Earth Journalism Network, Charles Smith, said the project aims to empower journalists through training and grants, enabling stronger reporting on marine conservation efforts in Ghana, Mexico, and the Philippines.
National President of GARDJA, Richmond Frimpong, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to produce in-depth feature stories that support sustainable development and responsible fisheries governance.
The event brought together journalists, policymakers, and stakeholders united around a shared goal: restoring Ghana’s coastal ecosystems while safeguarding livelihoods that depend on them.
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