Ghana’s coastline has long been associated with fishing communities, beaches and major ports, but experts argue that the country’s marine space holds a much wider economic potential that remains largely untapped.
From Keta in the Volta Region through Tema, Accra, Winneba, Cape Coast, Sekondi-Takoradi and Axim, Ghana’s coastal stretch presents opportunities in maritime transport, tourism, hospitality and other ocean-based industries.
However, despite being surrounded by the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana’s economic activity along its coastline remains limited compared to the opportunities available, with transportation still heavily dependent on roads and many coastal areas yet to develop into vibrant commercial hubs.
Professor Frederick Doe of the Faculty of Management at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), believes Ghana must begin to see its coastline not only as a geographical feature but as an economic asset capable of supporting new industries and creating jobs.
Speaking in an interview with The High Street Journal, Prof. Doe said Ghana’s reliance on road transportation has limited the country’s ability to maximise the economic value of its waterways.
“Ghana is surrounded by the Gulf of Guinea, stretching from Keta through Tema, Accra, Winneba, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Axim. Yet, despite being bordered by water, we continue to rely primarily on road transport,” he said.
According to him, developing coastal transportation systems such as ferry and speedboat networks could provide an alternative means of movement while creating opportunities across several industries.
Turning the coastline into an economic highway
For Prof. Doe, Ghana’s coastline could serve as an alternative transportation corridor connecting communities along the coast and reducing pressure on the country’s congested road networks.
He argued that commuters travelling between coastal communities should have options beyond highways, noting that maritime transport could become a practical solution if supported by the right infrastructure and investment.
“Imagine we pull investors into that area and people invest in ferries and speedboats operating along those waters,” he said.
A functioning coastal transport system would not only move passengers but could create an entire ecosystem of businesses around maritime services.
Beyond ferry operators, the sector would require boat maintenance companies, marine engineers, ticketing services, safety personnel and other supporting businesses.
According to Prof. Doe, the economic impact would extend beyond transportation into tourism and hospitality.
“There will be jobs created for hospitality firms who may want to establish restaurants along the water, along the coast,” he said.
The business opportunities beyond the sea
A developed coastal economy could support a range of businesses beyond traditional fishing activities.
Tourism remains one of the major opportunities. Ghana’s coastline already attracts visitors through beaches and historical sites, but greater investment could expand activities such as boating, surfing, coastal recreation and marine entertainment.
Such developments could create opportunities for:
- restaurants and food businesses,
- hotels and resorts,
- tour operators,
- recreational companies,
- marine safety services.
The growth of these industries could also stimulate demand for local suppliers, from food producers to service providers, creating wider economic linkages.
Ghana’s missed blue economy opportunity
Globally, coastal nations have increasingly focused on the blue economy — the sustainable use of ocean resources to drive economic growth, employment and investment.
For many countries, the ocean is not only a source of fish but a platform for transportation, tourism, renewable energy, logistics and innovation.
Ghana, despite its strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea, has yet to fully develop this broader coastal economy.
Prof. Doe believes this represents a missed opportunity at a time when the country is searching for new avenues of employment creation and private sector growth.
“Just along the waterways, for example, there will be so many jobs that can be created,” he said.
The role of government and private investment
While private investors would ultimately drive many coastal businesses, Prof. Doe argued that government has an important role in creating the conditions needed to attract investment.
He noted that investors require an enabling environment supported by clear policies, infrastructure and systems that reduce the risks associated with entering new industries.
“The private sector can only come in when government has created an enabling environment,” he said.
Developing Ghana’s coastline would therefore require collaboration between government and businesses, including investment in maritime infrastructure, safety systems and coastal development planning.
A coastline waiting for its economic moment
Ghana’s coastline has historically supported communities through fishing and trade, but its potential extends far beyond these traditional activities.
The opportunity lies in transforming the coast into a connected economic corridor where transport, tourism, hospitality and marine businesses can grow together.
Ghana’s coastline has always been part of the country’s geography, but its potential as an economic asset remains largely unrealised. The next step, according to Prof. Doe, is for policymakers and investors to determine whether the coast will remain an overlooked resource or become a new pillar of economic growth.
