Delivering technical assistance on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Ghana

Stocktake of MPA Activities in Ghana

Following the OCPP‑hosted MPA and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) workshop in Ghana in February 2023, partners highlighted the need for a consolidated overview of the many programmes operating across the marine and coastal space. In response, the OCPP developed a comprehensive MPA donor activity stocktake, cataloguing past, ongoing, and planned initiatives alongside their responsible organisations. The programme also produced an MPA schematic, which maps Ghana’s current progress and long‑term ambitions for MPAs across key policy, governance, and implementation drivers.

Both resources have been shared with government partners and are available in the Resources section. They are intended to support donor and technical partners by providing a clear first point of reference, helping to reduce duplication and ensure that new or emerging programmes complement and build upon existing efforts. This approach aims to promote coherent, effective support for Ghana’s MPA agenda and to strengthen the foundations for continued progress.

Beyond MPA Designation

The OCPP contributed towards furthering understanding on the longer-term benefit of MPAs and how Ghana’s stakeholders can take action to effectively and sustainably manage their marine environment. The work entitled ‘Beyond MPA Designation in Ghana (Research and Development)’ aimed to address knowledge gaps for effective MPA implementation – particularly around management, monitoring, and community engagement – following the designation of Ghana’s first MPA which susbsequently took place in April 2026. The project was delivered by Hen Mpoano, a local NGO.

Strategic Roadmap for the Implementation of MPAs in Ghana

The OCPP, working in collaboration with GFRA LBG, a Ghanaian NGO, developed a strategic MPA roadmap to guide Ghana’s transition from MPA designation to effective, long‑term implementation. The roadmap provides a practical and adaptable framework to support national and local stakeholders as they move from gazettement to on‑the‑ground management, monitoring, and assessment of MPAs.

Focusing on the post‑designation phase, the roadmap outlines essential actions for establishing effective management systems while addressing cross‑cutting priorities such as stakeholder engagement, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, alternative livelihoods, and sustainable finance.

MPA Short Course

The OCPP developed an introductory online learning course on MPAs in partnership with the University of Cape Coast, combining lectures and self-directed learning materials. The course introduced the need for marine conservation at both national and international levels and is structured across eight modules. These cover foundational concepts, global and regional drivers (with a focus on Ghana and West Africa), MPA planning and implementation processes – including designation, management, and monitoring – and the integration of MPAs within broader marine spatial planning. The final module encourages learner reflection and action. Case studies throughout help contextualize learning. The course targets final-year undergraduate/postgraduate students, government staff, and NGO professionals. 

 

Advancing Inclusive Engagement and Livelihood Planning for Ghana’s National MPA Strategy

To support implementation of Ghana’s emerging MPA Strategy, GFRA LBG, with support from the OCPP, led a comprehensive process to gather institutional and community perspectives on future MPA establishment. GFRA convened government agencies, academics, and coastal rightsholders, including fisherfolk associations, women processors, youth groups, PWD (Person With Disability) groups, traders, and traditional authorities, to validate existing MPA documentation and build meaningful local buy‑in for Ghana’s marine protection goals.

Using the insights from these consultations, GFRA spearheaded the participatory development of a gender‑responsive and conflict‑sensitive livelihood mitigation policy framework. Through targeted vulnerability assessments, multi‑stakeholder workshops, and a government‑led Technical Working Group, the team co‑designed practical measures such as livelihood diversification options and links to national social protection schemes.

The resulting draft livelihood mitigation policy framework offers a clear, evidence‑based approach for managing socio‑economic impacts associated with MPA establishment under the national MPA Strategy, helping ensure coastal communities are supported and able to benefit from Ghana’s long‑term ocean stewardship ambitions.

The finalised policy framework is available in the Resources section.

MPA Gazettement

The OCPP supported the designation of Ghana’s first MPA in the Greater Cape Three Points region, which was formally announced on 14 April 2026. Through targeted technical assistance delivered by Hen Mpoano, a respected local NGO, the programme has helped drive forward the final steps required for legal gazettement. This support has spanned inter‑ministerial coordination, engagements with Parliament and Cabinet, refinement of management guidelines, and the development of clear, accessible public‑facing communications to build national and community buy‑in.

Collectively, these efforts have helped unlock a major ocean‑governance milestone for Ghana. The gazettement of the Greater Cape Three Points MPA marked the country’s first formally designated MPA, demonstrating tangible uptake of programme‑supported technical recommendations and contributing directly to stronger, evidence‑based management of Ghana’s marine environment under the Sustainable Ocean Plan.

Greater Cape Three Points MPA Management Framework

With support from the OCPP, Hen Mpoano led the development of a robust draft management plan framework for the Greater Cape Three Points MPA, set to become Ghana's first formally designated MPA. The work brought together key government institutions through a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), established a clear coordination structure, and drew on existing ecological, socio economic, legal, and policy evidence to shape a practical and context driven framework. This draft was strengthened through expert review and stakeholder validation, ensuring it reflects national priorities, scientific insight, and community needs. The resulting validated framework provides a foundation for the development and formal adoption of a management plan as an essential foundation for effective long-term management of the MPA, which was subsequently designated in April 2026.

The finalised management plan framework for the Greater Cape Three Points MPA is available in the Resources section.

Marine Pollution Emergency Response

The OCPP funded an OSRL‑delivered programme of IMO Level 2 (IMO2), SCAT and IMO Level 3 (IMO3) training in Ghana in March 2025. IMO2 training focused on building the competence of personnel likely to respond directly to an oil spill at the operational level, covering safe working practices, spill response techniques, and the use of response equipment. The SCAT (Shoreline Clean‑up Assessment Technique) component provided participants with practical skills to assess shoreline oiling, evaluate environmental sensitivity, and support informed clean‑up decision‑making. IMO3 training was aimed at supervisory and management‑level staff, strengthening their ability to plan, coordinate and manage oil spill response operations strategically. Collectively, the training is essential for effective oil spill preparedness and response, providing critical knowledge and skills to protect the environment and public health. The course was attended by a range of relevant Emergency Response personnel and included a practical equipment deployment exercise, delivered in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.