The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission and with support from development partners, is advancing plans to establish Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points region of the Western Region.
As part of this initiative, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Hon. Emelia Arthur is leading a ministerial tour of 22 coastal communities in the Ahanta West Municipality to engage stakeholders and raise awareness about the proposed MPA.
As part of the ministerial tour, Hon. Emelia Arthur and her team have visited a number of coastal communities, including Egyambra, Miemia, Awona Beach, Princess Town, Aketakyi, Cape Three Points, Akwidaa, Achonwa, Upper and Lower Dixcove, Busua, Butre, Asemko, Ampatano, Punpuni, Aniahu, Adjua, Funko, New Amanful, and Ketakor.
Hon. Arthur emphasized that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are powerful tools for revitalizing marine ecosystems and securing the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s fisheries sector.
“Protecting critical habitats gives marine life the space to regenerate. This directly benefits fishers, coastal communities, and the national economy,” she said.
The community engagement builds on earlier technical consultations by the MPA Committee and is part of the groundwork for the official declaration of the Greater Cape Three Points MPA.
The Minister announced that the official declaration of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) will be made soon, citing strong community backing for the initiative.
While fishers and traditional leaders have expressed support for the proposed MPA, they have also called for complementary development projects—such as better roads, electricity, schools, and healthcare facilities—to sustain livelihoods during the transition period. In response, Hon. Emelia Arthur assured residents that their concerns would be incorporated into the implementation plan and shared with the appropriate agencies and development partners.
The creation of the MPA is grounded in Section 91 of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), which requires thorough stakeholder consultation before a marine reserve can be declared. The initiative also aligns with Ghana’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2022) and the Marine Fisheries Management Plan (2022–2026), both of which identify MPAs as critical tools for restoring fish stocks and conserving marine biodiversity.
At the international level, the initiative reflects Ghana’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14—specifically targets 14.2 and 14.5—as reaffirmed at the 9th Our Ocean Conference held in Athens, Greece, in 2024.
The establishment of the Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area represents a major milestone in Ghana’s marine conservation agenda, emphasizing science-driven policy, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and strong community ownership.
