Ghana’s coastline should be transformed into a major economic corridor through investments in maritime transport, tourism and related industries to create jobs and unlock new sources of growth, Professor Frederick Doe of the Faculty of Management at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has said.
According to Professor Doe, Ghana’s coastal stretch, which runs from Keta through Tema, Accra, Winneba, Cape Coast, Sekondi-Takoradi and Axim, remains an underdeveloped economic asset that could support transportation, hospitality and marine-based businesses.
He argued that Ghana has focused heavily on road transportation while failing to maximise the potential of its waterways as an alternative means of movement and economic activity.
“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,” Professor Frederick Doe said in an interview with The High Street Journal.
He believes developing coastal transportation networks, including ferry and speedboat services, could ease pressure on Ghana’s roads while creating new employment opportunities.
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“Imagine we pull investors into that area and people invest in ferries and speedboats applying along those waters,” he said.
Professor Doe noted that coastal transport could provide an alternative for commuters travelling between communities along the coast, reducing dependence on congested highways.
“For instance, somebody travelling from Aflao does not necessarily have to use the road all the way to Tema. He can just get onto a ferry and get to Accra or Tema or whatever destination he is going,” he explained.
Creating a coastal job ecosystem
Beyond transportation, Professor Doe said developing Ghana’s coastline would generate employment across several sectors.
He explained that a vibrant maritime economy would require workers in ferry operations, boat maintenance, ticketing services and marine safety, while also creating opportunities for businesses linked to tourism and hospitality.
“Jobs will be created in terms of the number of people who are operating ferries in the country. Jobs will be created for those who are working for the ferry company,” he said.
He added that investment along the coastline could support restaurants, recreational centres, resorts and other tourism-related businesses.
“There will be jobs created for hospitality firms who may want to establish restaurants along the water, along the coast,” he said.
Professor Doe also highlighted opportunities in recreational activities such as surfing, boating and cruising, which could attract both domestic and international tourists.
Turning the sea into an economic highway
The UPSA lecturer believes Ghana must begin to view its coastline not only as a geographical feature but as an economic resource capable of supporting livelihoods.
He compared the country’s coastal opportunities with other jurisdictions where waterways play important roles in transportation, tourism and commerce.
According to him, Ghana’s inability to fully utilise its marine resources represents a missed opportunity at a time when the country needs new avenues for employment creation.
“Just along the waterways, for example, there will be so many jobs that can be created,” he said.
Professor Doe argued that unlocking the economic potential of the coastline would require strong collaboration between government and private investors, with policies that encourage investment in maritime infrastructure and related industries.
“The private sector can only come in when government has created an enabling environment,” he said.
For Professor Doe, Ghana’s coastline represents more than a natural asset; it is a potential economic corridor that could support transportation, tourism and thousands of jobs if properly developed.
