Ahanta west: Madam Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, has concluded a three-day working tour of the proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) zones in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region. The MPA is a portion of the sea where fishing activities are prohibited or limited to reduce overexploitation of fish stock, while sustaining marine resources.
According to Ghana News Agency, the tour aimed to engage with more than 20 coastal communities within the Greater Cape Three Points enclave identified as ecologically and biologically significant for the MPA. This initiative is part of the government's final consultative efforts ahead of the official declaration of Ghana's first MPA, marking a significant step in marine resource conservation.
During the three-day visit, the Minister held direct, community-level conversations with fisher folks to gather their views, clarify intentions, and secure local support for this resource management initiative. The meeting was facilitated by Hen Mpoano, a non-governmental organisation focused on coastal and marine ecosystems, which plays an active role in ensuring grassroots participation in the process.
Madam Arthur revealed during the event that her ministry is working on a new Legislative Instrument (LI) to create a fairer spatial distribution at sea. This would allow artisanal fishers to operate slightly farther offshore while pushing industrial vessels even further out. The initiative is designed to reduce conflict between the two groups and promote sustainable fishing for all stakeholders.
The communities visited expressed their full support for the creation of the MPA, which aims to replenish the country's fisheries and support their livelihoods.
