Ghana must prioritize science, research, and institutional capacity to reverse the negative impacts on its blue economy and position it as a key driver of economic recovery, according to Mr. Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, Executive Director of the Blue Economy and Governance Consult. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to mark World Fisheries Day 2024, observed annually on November 21, he emphasized the need for effective collaboration with key research institutions to build credible data on the pillars of the blue economy. This year’s celebration is themed “Collaborative Governance for Blue Transformation and Sustainable Investment in Fisheries.”
Mr. Amarfio, who also serves as Vice President of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), highlighted Ghana’s failure to fully exploit the potential of its blue space, especially within the fisheries sector. Reflecting on his participation in a recent International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting in Cyprus, he noted the vast untapped opportunities available within Ghana’s marine space. The sector plays a critical role in employment, food security, health, and social cohesion.
He called for the development of a Marine Sensitivity Mapping tool, the creation of marine reserves, and the designation of Marine Protected Areas. Additionally, Mr. Amarfio stressed the need for a comprehensive Marine Spatial Plan, complete with feed-in programs to support marine life. He emphasized the importance of collaborative work among research institutions such as the Regional Maritime University, the University of Cape Coast, and the University of Ghana, all of which focus on fisheries and marine environments.
State agencies like the Fisheries Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ghana Maritime Authority, he said, should work together, potentially under a newly created Blue Economy Commission to drive policy attention toward these issues.
Mr. Amarfio expressed concern over Ghana’s poor treatment of its water bodies, describing it as a blatant disregard for the future. He criticized the nation for allowing activities like illegal mining to devastate riverine systems, leading to further pollution of ocean spaces. He also lamented the state of estuaries and brackish water systems, which have become dumping grounds for domestic and industrial waste, spoiling once-beautiful lagoons.
In conclusion, Mr. Amarfio urged the government to act swiftly to build a resilient blue economy, ensuring sustainable marine practices for future generations.
