The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), hosted a three day national workshop in Aburi, Ghana, aimed at advancing marine conservation, strengthening fisheries governance, and improving marine spatial planning in Ghana.
The workshop, held from May 12 to 14, 2026, formed part of the implementation of the MarEcoPlan project titled “Using Marine Spatial Planning in the Gulf of Guinea for the Implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services and Nature-Based Coastal Solutions.” The initiative is being implemented by FCWC and IUCN with funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The programme brought together representatives from Government institutions, Research organisations, Civil society groups, Fisheries associations, and Technical experts to discuss Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), marine spatial planning, and the integration of critical marine datasets needed to support sustainable management of coastal and marine resources in Ghana.
Participants reviewed progress on Ghana’s evolving Marine Spatial Planning framework and discussed strategies for strengthening ecosystem based management approaches to address increasing pressure on marine ecosystems caused by overfishing, pollution, habitat degradation, and climate related threats.
A major focus of the workshop was the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area, identified as one of Ghana’s key marine conservation initiatives. Stakeholders examined implementation priorities, technical support requirements, monitoring systems, and opportunities for institutional collaboration to operationalise the MPA effectively.
The workshop also supported the validation and harmonisation of marine spatial datasets required for national marine planning processes. Technical sessions focused on data collection methodologies, geospatial standards, dataset custodianship, and the integration of scenario ready datasets into a harmonised Marine Spatial Planning geodatabase.
Discussions further explored the development of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scenarios along Ghana’s western coastline as part of efforts to promote nature based coastal solutions and sustainable marine investments. The process built on Ghana’s Marine Spatial Development Framework for the Western Coastal Zone developed by the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority.
At the close of the programme, participants agreed on a number of priority actions, including strengthening institutional coordination for MPA implementation, establishing common standards for marine data management, and improving collaboration among national agencies responsible for marine and coastal governance.
The workshop featured presentations on the history and implementation of Marine Protected Areas in Ghana, technical reviews of draft marine planning maps and overlays, and interactive discussions led by FCWC officials, technical consultants, and members of the MPA Technical Advisory Committee.
FCWC said the workshop formed part of its broader regional efforts to strengthen transboundary cooperation and promote sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems across the Gulf of Guinea.
Through the MarEcoPlan project, the organisation continues to support regional initiatives aimed at improving food security, enhancing climate resilience, and safeguarding livelihoods that depend on marine resources.
Tina Nkansah Akuamoah - Communication Officer, FCWC
