Accra: Mr Kwadwo Kyei Yamoah, Executive Director of HELP Foundation Africa, has called for urgent action to protect Ghana's marine resources, strengthen sustainable fisheries management, and unlock the full potential of the country's blue economy.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Yamoah, in a speech commemorating World Oceans Day 2026, emphasized the critical role of healthy oceans in ensuring food security, livelihoods, and economic growth. He highlighted the necessity of sustainable management of marine resources for Ghana's future.
He pointed out that millions of Ghanaians rely on fishing, fish processing, transportation, and related industries for their livelihoods, with fish being a key and affordable protein source in the country. Mr Yamoah voiced concerns about the increasing threats to the marine environment, such as overfishing, marine pollution, illegal fishing, plastic waste, coastal degradation, and climate change.
According to him, these challenges pose risks to marine biodiversity, food security, employment opportunities, and the long-term sustainability of Ghana's coastal economy. He emphasized that as Ghana progresses with its blue economy agenda, sustainable ocean management must remain a national priority. A flourishing blue economy, he noted, could generate jobs for the youth, empower women in fisheries value chains, boost tourism, enhance climate resilience, and drive economic growth.
Mr Yamoah urged government institutions to bolster fisheries management systems and intensify efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. He also called on coastal communities to actively engage in protecting marine resources and encouraged private sector investment in sustainable blue economy ventures.
The HELP Foundation's executive director appealed to development partners and civil society organizations to support marine conservation and climate adaptation efforts. He also urged citizens to reduce plastic pollution and protect beaches, rivers, lagoons, and oceans. He stressed that the future of Ghana's fisheries sector, food security, and blue economy depends on immediate actions to safeguard the country's marine ecosystem for the benefit of future generations.
World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on June 8 to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to raise public awareness about the protection and sustainable management of ocean resources. The theme for the 2026 celebration is 'Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet'.