Ghana plans to designate a major Marine Protected Area (MPA) off the coast of the Western Region, advancing its approach to sustainable fisheries and marine protection.
The planned Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area (GCTPMPA), covering about 703.86 square kilometres, is being advanced by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development under Section 39 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146). The initiative aligns with the global biodiversity agenda, particularly the “30×30 target” under the Global Biodiversity Framework, which seeks to protect 30 percent of the world’s ecosystems by 2030.
Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is expected to formally declare the protected area on April 14, 2026, in the Greater Cape Three Points area, in what officials describe as a “historic step” toward restoring marine ecosystems and strengthening fisheries governance.
The designated zone is considered one of Ghana’s most ecologically important marine environments, hosting critical fish breeding grounds, mangrove ecosystems, and diverse seabed habitats. However, these resources have come under sustained pressure from overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, pollution, and climate-related impacts.
The MPA will introduce a zoning framework that balances conservation with economic activity. This includes a “core zone” for ecosystem recovery alongside “multiple-use zones” where regulated fishing and related livelihoods will continue. The framework is also expected to enhance monitoring systems, improve enforcement against illegal fishing, and support “data-driven management” through ongoing scientific research.
The intervention forms part of a broader fisheries recovery strategy, complementing existing measures such as the closed fishing season, moratorium policies, and regulatory directives on fishing practices. While these interventions provide “temporary conservation relief,” the MPA is intended to deliver long-term ecosystem protection and rebuild fish stocks sustainably.
A central feature of the initiative is its community-based approach. Authorities indicate that coastal communities will be involved in co-management arrangements, integrating local knowledge with national policy objectives. The approach is expected to support “more stable incomes,” improve food security, and create opportunities in eco-tourism and marine conservation value chains.
Development partners are playing a key role in supporting the initiative, providing both technical expertise and financial backing. These partnerships are seen as critical to ensuring effective implementation, particularly in areas such as enforcement, capacity building, and ecosystem monitoring.
The GCTPMPA points to a transition toward “long-term stewardship” of marine resources, with fisheries sustainability emerging as a key environmental and economic focus.
