Cabinet has approved the creation of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points Area in the Western Region, according to Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Hon. Emelia Arthur.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra on Monday, October 20, 2025, Hon. Arthur called the action a historic national turning point in Ghana’s efforts to protect biodiversity, manage marine resources sustainably, and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities that rely on fisheries for their food and income.
She revealed that on October 7, 2025, Cabinet approved the MPA, ushering in a new era in the nation’s dedication to the prudent management of maritime resources.
The Minister stated, “This decision demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding our ocean ecosystem while making sure that our coastal communities continue to prosper.”
According to Hon. Arthur, Ghana must import more than 79,000 metric tonnes of fish a year to meet domestic demand because the country’s domestic fish production has drastically decreased in recent years.
She issued a warning that if present patterns continue, the loss of marine resources may put coastal communities’ livelihoods and food security at much greater risk.
She emphasised that scientific evaluations show that current measures have not been adequate to stop the decline of important fish stocks, especially small pelagic species, despite government interventions like the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), the National Co-Management Policy (2020), and various Marine Fisheries Management Plans.
The Minister clarified that the government is currently moving towards spatial management options, such as the creation of MPAs, even though Ghana’s fisheries management has historically depended on non-spatial instruments like seasonal closures and gear limits.
She claims that the MPA’s implementation supports fish stock recovery, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable fisheries development and is in line with global best practices.
Hon. Arthur also provided an overview of the MPA’s implementation plan, stressing the importance of community involvement, scientific monitoring, and stakeholder engagement as key process pillars.
In order to secure the successful implementation of this revolutionary project, she urged all stakeholders to work together with the government.
Source: newsthemegh.com