On 7 October 2025, Cabinet approved the establishment of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) — the Greater Cape Three Points MPA — covering approximately 700 square kilometres of coastal and marine waters between Ampatano and Domunli in the Western Region. This bold and historic decision marks a new chapter in Ghana’s stewardship of its marine resources. It is not merely an environmental milestone; it is a major governance and economic intervention that unites maritime administration, fisheries management, and sustainable development under one national vision.
Fig. 1 Map of the Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area, Ghana.
For years, Ghana’s marine fish stocks — particularly small pelagics such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel — have been under severe pressure. Overfishing, coupled with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, has driven catches to unsustainable levels. The result is that Ghana, once a net exporter of fish, now imports more than 79,000 metric tonnes annually to meet domestic demand.
The establishment of the Greater Cape Three Points MPA is therefore a science-based corrective measure. The area is home to crucial spawning and nursery grounds, marine mammals, and endangered sea turtles. Protecting these habitats will allow depleted fish stocks to recover, support biodiversity, and create a “spillover effect” that benefits fisheries outside the MPA boundaries. In economic terms, this translates into future increases in sustainable catch levels, improved livelihoods for coastal communities, and reduced reliance on imports.
In the short term, however, it is important to recognise that such conservation measures require social transition support. Local fishers who may face temporary access restrictions need alternative livelihood programmes, microcredit, and skills training. The success of the MPA will depend not only on enforcement but also on community participation and co-management structures that foster local stewardship of marine resources.
The creation of an MPA is not only a fisheries management decision; it also introduces new responsibilities for Ghana’s Maritime Administration and transport sector. Protecting the ecological integrity of the MPA will require adjustments to how we manage shipping routes, marine pollution, and vessel monitoring along our coast.
First, maritime surveillance and enforcement must be strengthened. Ghana’s Fisheries Commission, Marine Police, and Navy will need to coordinate through integrated monitoring systems such as the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Automatic Identification System (AIS). Partnerships with satellite-based analytics providers and organisations like Global Fishing Watch can greatly enhance our detection of illegal activities at sea.
Second, port-State control will be critical. Ghana is a Party to the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) — the first binding international instrument to combat IUU fishing. Effective implementation of this agreement means denying port entry or landing rights to vessels engaged in illegal fishing, strengthening inspection procedures, and sharing data across agencies. This not only upholds the integrity of the MPA but also protects legitimate fishers and seafood traders from unfair competition.
Third, from the perspective of the International Maritime Organization, Ghana should explore the possibility of proposing the Greater Cape Three Points area — or parts of it — for designation as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). The IMO’s PSSA framework allows member states to seek international recognition for areas that are ecologically significant and vulnerable to shipping impacts such as oil spills, waste discharges, or ship strikes on marine mammals. Such a designation would enable Ghana to introduce associated protective measures, including routeing adjustments, mandatory reporting, or discharge restrictions for vessels transiting near the MPA.
Moreover, compliance with key IMO conventions — particularly the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention — will be essential. MARPOL ensures that ships operating near Ghana’s coastline adhere to strict standards on oil, garbage, and sewage discharge. The BWM Convention, on the other hand, helps prevent the introduction of invasive aquatic species that could disrupt our fragile marine ecosystems.
These measures show that maritime administration and environmental protection are deeply interconnected. By implementing them effectively, Ghana can project leadership within the Gulf of Guinea as a state that balances maritime trade with ecological responsibility.
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing remains one of the most persistent challenges undermining Ghana’s marine economy. It robs the state of revenue, distorts markets, and devastates fish stocks. The MPA provides an additional legal and operational tool to combat IUU fishing, as it simplifies enforcement boundaries and allows for clearer identification of illicit incursions.
However, an MPA alone cannot defeat IUU fishing. It must be part of a larger governance ecosystem that integrates monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) frameworks, regional cooperation, and port enforcement. Ghana should continue strengthening collaboration with neighbouring coastal States through the Fisheries
Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), ensuring information sharing, joint patrols, and mutual legal assistance.Technology should also be leveraged. The use of satellite monitoring, electronic observer programmes, and digital traceability systems that track fish from sea to market will make it increasingly difficult for illegal operators to hide. Combined with the MPA, these innovations can create a strong deterrent and enhance Ghana’s reputation for compliance with international fisheries and maritime norms.
Ghana’s new MPA aligns strongly with several international conventions and instruments. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) establishes the duty of coastal States to protect and preserve the marine environment and manage living resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
The IMO’s MARPOL and BWM Conventions, already mentioned, address vessel-source pollution and ecological risk. The PSSA framework, administered by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), provides a path for Ghana to obtain international recognition for the ecological value of the Greater Cape Three Points area.
Finally, the FAO Port State Measures Agreement directly complements these efforts by tackling IUU fishing at the point of entry — our ports. Together, these instruments form the global governance architecture that underpins Ghana’s national policies on sustainable fisheries, maritime transport, and ocean health.Buy vitamins and supplements
Next Steps for Implementation
The success of the Greater Cape Three Points MPA will depend on decisive follow- up actions: The foundational step involves the formal gazetting and legal delineation of the MPA’s boundaries and regulatory framework, which must be integrated with the dissemination of navigational warnings and the updating of official nautical charts to ensure maritime safety and regulatory compliance.”
This point is about making the new marine protected area (MPA) officially “real” in the eyes of the law and, crucially, for those at sea. “Gazetting” is the formal act of publishing the details in a government journal, giving it legal force. This prevents any ambiguity about the new rules.
But a law is only effective if people can obey it. That’s why it must be supported by navigational warnings to immediately alert ships and fishermen, and by updates to official nautical charts. This ensures that a captain, whether on a local fishing boat or an international cargo ship, will see the MPA boundaries on their map and know to avoid restricted zones. It moves the MPA from a paper declaration to a physically respected part of Ghana’s seascape.
A subsequent critical measure involves constituting a representative Management Authority, founded on the principle of collaborative governance. This multi- stakeholder entity would amalgamate jurisdictional capacity (e.g., Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Navy), scientific expertise (academia), socio-economic interests(Fisheries Commission, local government), and local knowledge (community representatives) for effective stewardship.
This establishes a single, dedicated body with the power and expertise to actually manage the protected area. Instead of having different agencies working in isolation, this unified Authority brings everyone to the same table.
The inclusion of the Navy and the Ghana Maritime Authority ensures enforce men and monitoring at sea. The Fisheries Commission addresses the livelihood and conservation balance, while local government and community representatives guarantee that the voices of those most affected by the MPA—the coastal residents—are heard directly. Finally, academia provides the crucial scientific data needed to track the health of the marine life and measure the MPA’s success. In short, it’s a collaborative framework designed for effective and equitable governance.Buy vitamins and supplements
A subsequent phase involves the development of a technical scoping document to assess the viability of pursuing internationally recognised protective status, such as an IMO Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) designation, for the MPA.
This step is about taking Ghana’s marine conservation to the international level. The government is not just creating a local protected area; it is laying the groundwork to have this zone recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN agency that governs global shipping.
By preparing a technical case, Ghana will explore applying for international protective measures, most notably as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). If designated, this would be a major achievement. It would alert the global shipping community that Ghana’s waters are exceptionally vulnerable and ecologically significant. A PSSA can trigger enforceable international regulations, such as mandatory ship routeing to avoid wildlife habitats and strict controls on pollution and discharges, providing a powerful, global layer of protection for the newly declared MPA.
Concurrently, the operationalization of the MPA mandates significant investment in both human and technical capacity. This includes building institutional expertise through targeted training programs and deploying integrated surveillance systems—comprising platforms, sensors, and analysis tools—to enable proactive enforcement
This point addresses a critical challenge: a protected area is only as strong as its ability to deter and catch rule-breakers. Simply drawing a line on a map is not enough.
“Capacity building” means empowering the people on the front lines. This includes specialized training for fisheries officers and the Navy in modern surveillance and enforcement techniques.
Simultaneously, “surveillance investments” provide the necessary tools. This could range from satellite monitoring and drone patrols to radar systems and patrol boats for on-the-water presence. This combination of skilled personnel and advanced technology is what transforms the MPA’s rules from words on paper into a respected, functioning reality, ensuring that the conservation goals are not undermined by illegal fishing or pollution.
Integral to this framework is the provision of targeted support mechanisms to mitigate potential socio-economic disruptions within coastal communities. Such measures are designed to secure sustainable livelihood alternatives and build local stewardship, ensuring conservation gains are not achieved at a social cost.
This is the human heart of the conservation plan. Recognising that new fishing restrictions could impact coastal communities that have depended on the sea for generations, this pledge ensures the MPA is a project of partnership, not punishment.
The focus will be on creating alternative livelihoods, such as supporting sustainable fish farming, tourism ventures like guided boat tours, and other small enterprises. This proactive approach helps fishermen and their families transition into new roles as guardians of the marine environment. By investing in people’s well-being, the plan aims to build local support and ensure that protecting Ghana’s ocean heritage also secures a prosperous future for those who live alongside it.
Lastly, a critical component of the MPA framework involves launching comprehensive public outreach and educational initiatives designed to enhance civic awareness, engender national pride in Ghana’s marine heritage, and bolster collective commitment to the MPA’s conservation objectives
This initiative recognises that true protection requires a national shift in mindset. A marine protected area cannot be guarded by laws and patrols alone; it must be cherished by the people.
The campaign will use various media—from community meetings to radio including community radio), television, and social media—to explain why this MPA matters. It will highlight the underwater treasures being protected, from vibrant fish stocks that sustain livelihoods to the fragile corals that support them. The ultimate goal is to move beyond mere compliance and foster a deep-seated sense of ownership and national pride, transforming every citizen, especially those in coastal communities, into a vocal and vigilant stakeholder in the future of Ghana’s blue heritage.
The creation of the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area is a transformational opportunity. It is a statement that Ghana recognises the ocean as both an economic asset and a shared heritage requiring responsible management.
As we chart this new course, we must harmonise environmental stewardship with maritime administration, applying both national policies and international instruments to secure long-term sustainability.
I view this milestone as more than a conservation initiative. It is the practical embodiment of the Blue Economy principle — one that balances trade, transport, and resource use with the protection of the ecosystems that sustain them.
To achieve lasting success, we must reinforce collaboration between ministries, strengthen enforcement capacity, and partner with our coastal communities. If wedo this well, Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area will not be our last — it will be the foundation for a resilient and prosperous maritime future.
References
1. AgriWatchGH. (2025, October 8). National fish import figures and fisheries recovery data [Data set]. AgriWatchGH. https://agriwatchgh.com/ghana-to-establish-first-marine-protected-area-minister- outlines-roadmap-at-press-conference/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (n.d.). Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA). Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.fao.org/home/en/
3. Ghana News Agency. (2025, October 7). Cabinet approves Ghana’s first marine protected area at Cape Three Points. https://gna.org.gh/2025/10/cabinet-approves-ghanas-first-marine-protected-area- at-cape-three-point/
4. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. (2025, October 9). The Greater Cape Three Points marine protected area: Scope and significance. GBC Ghana Online. https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/ghana-marine-area/2025/
5. International Maritime Organization. (n.d.). Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs). Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.imo.org/en/ourwork/environment/pages/pssas.aspx?utm_source
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Writer: Evans Ago Tetteh, Ph.D, Regional Maritime University
