“National turning point”: Ghana declares historic first Marine Protected Area

Yesterday, Ghana took a historic step by officially declaring its first Marine Protected Area (MPA), safeguarding one of the country’s most ecologically and biologically significant coastal and marine environments.

The MPA will be located in the Greater Cape Three Points area of the Western Region, following decades of advocacy and planning. The designation places approximately 703 km² of ocean under formal legal protection.

The area is recognised for its critical fish breeding and nursery grounds, as well as its coastal wetlands and mangrove ecosystems, which provide habitat for marine species and help protect shorelines from erosion. Its diverse seabed and reef systems also support rich marine biodiversity and ecological balance.

However, a combination of overfishing, illegal fishing practices, pollution and climate change has significantly degraded these ecosystems, threatening both marine life and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The MPA will not introduce a total ban on fishing. Instead, it has been divided into different zones, allowing highly sensitive areas to recover while permitting regulated fishing in surrounding “multiple-use zones”.

Officials say this approach is designed to restore fish stocks while supporting sustainable livelihoods.