By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, June 08, GNA — 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.
Mr Yamoah, speaking with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in commemoration of World Oceans Day 2026, said healthy oceans were essential for food security, livelihoods, and economic growth, stressing that Ghana’s future depended on the sustainable management of its marine resources.
He noted that millions of Ghanaians depended directly and indirectly on fishing, fish processing, transportation, and related businesses for their livelihoods, while fish remained one of the country’s most affordable and important sources of protein.
Mr Yamoah expressed concern about growing threats to the marine environment, including overfishing, marine pollution, illegal fishing activities, plastic waste, coastal degradation, and climate change.
According to him, those challenges threaten marine biodiversity, food security, employment opportunities, and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s coastal economy.
He stated that as Ghana advances its blue economy agenda, sustainable ocean management must remain a national priority, noting that a thriving blue economy could create jobs for young people, empower women in fisheries value chains, promote tourism, strengthen climate resilience, and drive economic growth.
Mr Yamoah called on government institutions to strengthen fisheries management systems and intensify efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
He also urged coastal communities to actively protect marine resources while encouraging private sector investment in sustainable blue economy enterprises.
The HELP Foundation’s executive director appealed to development partners and civil society organisations to support marine conservation and climate adaptation initiatives and encouraged citizens to reduce plastic pollution and protect beaches, rivers, lagoons, and oceans.
He said the future of Ghana’s fisheries sector, food security, and blue economy depended on actions taken today to safeguard the country’s marine ecosystem for future generations.
World Ocean Day is celebrated annually on June 08 to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and spark the interest of the public in the protection of the ocean and its resources’ sustainable management.
The theme for the 2026 celebration is “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet”.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA