The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission and development partners, is working to establish Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points area of the Western Region. The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, is leading a ministerial engagement across 22 coastal communities in the Ahanta West Municipality to deepen community understanding and reinforce local support for the initiative.
The MPA aims to protect critical habitats, allowing marine life to regenerate and ultimately benefiting fishers, communities, and the economy. Fishers and traditional leaders have expressed strong support for the initiative, citing its long-term ecological and economic benefits, while also highlighting the need for accompanying social development interventions.
The Minister has assured that community concerns will be incorporated into the implementation strategy and forwarded to relevant government agencies and development partners. The MPA initiative is backed by robust legal and policy frameworks, including the Fisheries Act and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy. The official declaration of the Greater Cape Three Points MPA is expected to be made soon.
Sankofaonline
