Ghana's First Marine Protected Area Declared at Cape Three Points

Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang formally establishes landmark conservation zone linking over 21 coastal communities. Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has officially declared Ghana's first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points Area, marking a historic milestone in the country's efforts to protect its marine resources and advance its blue economy agenda.

The declaration, made in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Fisheries Commission, and key partners including Hɛn Mpoano, covers a critical ecological zone connecting more than 21 coastal communities across the Ahanta West and Nzema East districts.

Government officials were quick to clarify that the MPA is not designed to shut out fishing communities, but rather to encourage sustainable practices that allow marine ecosystems to recover and thrive over time, safeguarding long-term food security and economic stability for the populations that depend on the sea.

To ensure effective governance, an MPA Management Executive Committee has been formally inaugurated to oversee the rollout and implementation of the initiative, embedding accountability into its structure from the outset.

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged the contributions of the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, alongside technical teams, development partners, and the coastal communities whose cooperation made the declaration possible.

She reaffirmed government's commitment to ensuring the MPA translates into tangible benefits for local people, pledging targeted support that includes sustainable livelihood alternatives, infrastructure development, and inclusive policy frameworks tailored to affected communities.

"The long-term success of this initiative will depend on strong partnerships, compliance, and shared ownership," she stressed, calling on all stakeholders to embrace collective responsibility in protecting Ghana's marine heritage.

The declaration was made pursuant to Section 39 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146) and received Cabinet approval, giving it firm legal standing as a cornerstone of Ghana's national conservation framework.

The Greater Cape Three Points MPA is widely seen as a significant step toward preserving Ghana's coastal ecosystems for future generations, and a signal of the current administration's intent to place environmental sustainability at the heart of its development agenda.