The Government of Ghana has approved the establishment of the country’s first-ever Marine Protected Area (MPA), a move aimed at restoring depleted fish stocks and safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Announcing the decision at a press conference in Accra on Monday, October 20, 2025, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Emelia Arthur, described the initiative as a landmark step toward sustainable marine resource management and biodiversity conservation.
According to the Minister, Cabinet granted approval on October 7, 2025, paving the way for the MPA to be established within the Greater Cape Three Points area in the Western Region — one of Ghana’s most ecologically significant coastal zones.
Hon. Arthur expressed concern over the country’s declining domestic fish production, which has forced Ghana to import more than 79,000 metric tons of fish annually to meet local demand. She warned that if overfishing and habitat degradation continue unchecked, marine biodiversity and food security in coastal areas will be at serious risk.
While previous interventions such as the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), the National Co-Management Policy (2020), and the Marine Fisheries Management Plans have offered some relief, scientific evidence indicates that these measures have not fully reversed the decline in key fish stocks, especially small pelagic species.
The newly approved MPA will serve as a critical conservation zone to promote ecosystem resilience, protect spawning grounds, and support long-term fish stock recovery — aligning Ghana’s efforts with global best practices in ocean governance.
Hon. Arthur emphasized that the roadmap for implementation will prioritize community participation, scientific monitoring, and collaboration with local and international partners.
She urged all stakeholders — including fisherfolk, coastal authorities, and environmental organizations — to support the successful rollout of what she described as a transformative step for Ghana’s blue economy.
