Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Emelia Arthur
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Emelia Arthur, has announced Cabinet’s approval for the creation of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA), aimed at restoring marine health, protecting biodiversity, and strengthening the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fisheries.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, October 30, Hon. Emelia Arthur described the move as a “significant national milestone in Ghana’s ongoing commitment to sustainable marine resource management, biodiversity protection, and support for the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on fisheries for income and food security.”
She stated that on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, “Cabinet gave approval for the creation of Ghana’s First Marine Protected Area (MPA) within the Greater Cape Three Points area of the Western Region.” The Minister emphasized that the decision “underscores the Government’s dedication to responsible stewardship of Ghana’s marine resources, as well as its continued support for coastal communities whose wellbeing depends largely on fisheries for employment, income, nutritional needs, and cultural heritage.”
Policy background
Providing background on the policy, Hon. Arthur explained that Ghana’s marine fisheries had come under severe pressure due to overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. “As a result, domestic fish production has decreased, leading the country to import over 79,000 metric tons of fish annually to fulfill local demand,” she noted. She cautioned that if current trends continue, “these factors may further impact both marine ecosystem health and the livelihoods of coastal communities.”
The Minister recounted that over the past two decades, the Government of Ghana had introduced various frameworks, including the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), the National Co-Management Policy (2020), and several Marine Fisheries Management Plans, all aimed at promoting compliance and sustainability. However, she revealed that “scientific assessments and stakeholder consultations indicate that the existing measures are insufficient to reverse the decline of commercially important fish stocks, particularly small pelagic species.”
According to her, Ghana’s fisheries management has historically relied on non-spatial methods such as seasonal closures and gear restrictions, but “there is an increasing focus on implementing additional spatial measures in response to current ecological concerns.”
The adoption of Marine Protected Areas, she explained, “is intended to support fish stock recovery and ecosystem stability,” following international best practices and aligning with Ghana’s efforts to modernize its fisheries sector.
Hon. Arthur announced that the Greater Cape Three Points Area, covering approximately 700 square kilometers and stretching from Ampatano to Domunli, has been identified as the most suitable location for establishing the MPA. “The area is a critical breeding and nursery ground for sardinellas and other species, as well as an important migratory route for whales and dolphins. It also provides nesting grounds for marine turtles,” she explained.
“Protecting this area,” she added, “will provide immense benefits including fish stock recovery, enhancement of fisherfolk livelihoods and incomes, provision of opportunities for ecotourism, and climate resilience.” The Minister stressed that the protected area “does not intend to prohibit fishing activities entirely,” but rather seeks “to promote sustainable fishing practices that do not adversely impact the livelihoods of local fishing communities.”
Alignment with Blue Economy Strategy
The proposed MPA, she said, aligns with Ghana’s Blue Economy Strategy by supporting “blue wealth, encompassing fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, and blue health, which focuses on ecosystem restoration and biodiversity.”
On stakeholder involvement, Hon. Arthur disclosed that the Ministry, through the Fisheries Commission, “has conducted extensive consultations across fishing communities and traditional authorities in 21 participating communities, engaging over 7,000 stakeholders, predominantly fisherfolks and community leaders.”
She added that a “multistakeholder MPA Technical Advisory Committee has guided the scientific and participatory process, ensuring that it reflects broad consensus and community support and meets relevant international standards.”
The Minister explained that the Government, in collaboration with fisherfolk and other stakeholders, “will adopt a mixed-use approach for the proposed MPA, rather than implementing a total ban on fishing.” This, she noted, “will safeguard livelihoods while promoting responsible and sustainable fishing practices within the designated zones.”
Hon. Arthur also emphasized Ghana’s commitment to global environmental obligations, stating that the establishment of the MPA “underscores Ghana’s commitment to international agreements, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the UN Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), the Abidjan Convention, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”
She added that the iniinitiative was also “consistent with Articles 36(9), 41(k), and 269 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (Act 1146), as well as the Marine Fisheries Management Plan for 2022–2026.”
Next steps
Outlining the next steps, she said the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission “will map out and gazette the designation of the Greater Cape Three Points MPA, conduct inter-ministerial engagements, make a public declaration of the MPA, collaborate with communities and NGOs to integrate local knowledge, undertake public education, and develop enforcement and monitoring plans to prevent illegal activities.” She added the Ministry will also “identify and promote alternative livelihoods to support fishers who might be affected.”
Hon. Emelia Arthur further said, “The approval by Cabinet of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area marks a major step toward building a sustainable blue economy which aims to protect marine life and support fishing communities in diverse ways.” She called on “all stakeholders to work hand in hand with Government to ensure the successful implementation of this transformative initiative.”
About The Author
