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The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford ,inaugurated a two-day workshop on Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy (CABABE). This initiative aims to support Ghana in aligning and domesticating key global instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and climate change.
Organized by MESTI in collaboration with the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and funded by Sweden, the workshop is part of a three-year project titled “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy,” implemented across 55 AU member states.
speaking at the workshop ,the Minister announced that Ghana is developing a roadmap towards ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdictions. She emphasized that thorough processes and strict compliance will enhance food security by rebuilding fisheries stocks, protecting marine life, securing jobs for over two million people in the fisheries value chain, and fulfilling international commitments.
She highlighted the threats to Ghana’s aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, including overexploitation of species, pollution from land-based municipal and agricultural activities, mining, and invasive species. These actions have cumulative negative impacts on aquatic resources and the livelihoods of communities, especially youth, women, and children.
With adequate technical support and timely funding, the Minister expressed confidence that governments would develop and implement robust policies and enforcement mechanisms to address these challenges and mitigate associated risks.
Dr. Huyam Salih, the Director of AU-IBAR, in a statement delivered on his behalf, noted that Africa’s extensive freshwater rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans provide essential sources of livelihoods, food security, and wealth. He stated that developing the Blue Economy is crucial for Africa’s integrated socioeconomic transformation, as outlined in the AU Agenda 2063.
Dr. Salih mentioned that strategies endorsed by AU Heads of States and Governments in 2020 serve as a blueprint for member states to fully exploit their aquatic ecosystems for an inclusive and sustainable Blue Economy, significantly contributing to Africa’s transformation and growth. He called for strengthening the capacity of AU states to adhere to global best practices in conserving aquatic biodiversity and environmental management.
Madam Peace D. Gbeckor-Kove, a Principal Programme Officer at the Environmental Protection Agency, noted that Ghana has signed, ratified, and domesticated several conventions related to Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change Mitigation, and Environmental Management, although some have yet to complete the full cycle.
“We currently have regulations covering Environment, Lands & Natural Resources, Fisheries, Energy, Transport, and Water Resources Management,” she said. Madam Gbeckor-Kove urged stakeholder institutions to take action to ratify and domesticate the conventions Ghana has signed.
