Accra, June 27, GNA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rallied Ghanaians to take bold and collective action to protect the country’s marine environment, describing the ocean as “a lifeline under threat.”
The Authority wants individuals to halt actions including open defecation along beach sites, sand weaning, dumping of refuges along beaches and use of unapproved methods in fishing.
Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Acting Chief Executive Officer, EPA, said this on Friday at an event in Accra to climax this year’s World Oceans Day.
It was on the global theme: “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” while Ghana’s theme for 2025 is: “Preserving Our Oceans, Protecting Our Future”.
As part of the event, an art competition was organised for selected Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Greater Accra Region, which saw La Presec SHS winning the first position, Nunguah SHS, second, Holy Trinity SHS, third, and Saint Mary’s, fourth.
Prof. Klutse said the ocean’s ability to sustain life, from producing oxygen and regulating the climate to supporting livelihoods and food systems, must not be taken for granted.
“Let us be clear: the degradation of our oceans is not just an environmental issue. It is a development challenge, a public health issue, and a threat to food security and human rights,” she said.
Prof. Klutse touched on policies including the National Plastics Management Policy, designed to promote a circular economy, improve plastic waste management, and reduce pollution through partnerships with local governments and the private sector.
“Another major intervention is the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project Phase Two, which aims to restore degraded coastal ecosystems, such as the Korle Lagoon in Accra, the Densu Delta, and the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Site,” she said.
The project sought to strengthen community resilience, restore mangroves, rehabilitate abandoned rice paddies, and reduce flooding and erosion in vulnerable areas.
“These ecosystems are not only rich in biodiversity but also serve as natural buffers against coastal hazards. Their protection is essential to the survival of coastal communities,” the Acting CEO said.
Madam Esi Nerquaye-Tetteh, Deputy Executive Director/Technical Services, said the long-term ocean protection depended on public education and community engagement.
She noted that the Authority had commenced ocean literacy campaigns, coastal school outreach programmes, and youth-led clean-up drives, in partnership with non-governmental organisations, traditional authorities, and local assemblies.
“Sustainable change begins with informed citizens,” she stated, adding: “Communities must not only be participants, but champions of conservation.”
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe