Emelia Arthur
Ghana has taken a major step toward sustainable development with the launch of a three-day national consultation workshop to finalize its draft Blue Economy Strategy.
The event, held at the Ghana Shippers Council Conference Room in Accra, brought together more than 260 stakeholders from government, development agencies, financial institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
The workshop marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to harness marine and aquatic resources for inclusive economic growth and environmental sustainability.
It opened with strong endorsements from the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie.
Delivering the keynote address, Arthur underscored the urgency of adopting a national blue economy framework, describing it as a strategic tool for job creation, food security, innovation, and climate resilience.
“Your presence here today is a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for Ghana through the blue economy,” she told participants.
The Fisheries Minister highlighted key progress to date, including Cabinet’s approval of a memorandum to establish a Blue Economy Commission.
She also cited the formation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by Senior Presidential Advisor Dr. Valerie E. Sawyerr, which guided the development of the strategy through a 16-member expert team. Their work produced a technical report, an implementation roadmap, and a communication plan to drive national awareness and support.
The workshop structure reflects its inclusive approach: government ministries and partners on Day 1, fisheries associations on Day 2, and academia, civil society organizations, and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) on Day 3.
In her remarks, Gomashie emphasized the socio-economic value of Ghana’s marine resources and called for a balanced approach between development and conservation. Drawing on her work with UNESCO and Parliament on underwater cultural heritage, she highlighted the potential of sustainable ocean tourism and community-led coastal development.
“This workshop presents a unique opportunity to reaffirm the immense importance of our ocean resources to our collective prosperity and wellbeing,” she said, commending ministries and stakeholders for their leadership.
Expected outcomes of the consultation include the final validation of the Ghana Blue Economy Report, the establishment of the Blue Economy Commission (BEC) and its Secretariat, the formation of a Stakeholder Forum, and the drafting of a legislative framework to be submitted to Parliament.
The Blue Economy Strategy aligns with Ghana’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—notably SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The initiative positions Ghana to lead in regional ocean governance while balancing economic, environmental, and cultural priorities.
