Luanda, Angola – 30th May 2025
Ghana has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to sustainable ocean governance and regional collaboration by participating in the Blue Economy Workshop hosted by the Gulf of Guinea Commission in Luanda, Angola. The event, which ran from 28th to 30th May 2025, brought together delegates from across West and Central Africa to develop a united response to the challenges and opportunities of the Blue Economy.
Delivering the opening address on behalf of the Honourable Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mr. Fred Kwasi Antwi-Boadu, Coordinator of Ghana’s Blue Economy Commission, highlighted Ghana’s strategic efforts to transform its marine and coastal sectors into engines of inclusive economic growth, food security, and climate resilience.
“Recognizing the potential of our marine spaces, the Government of Ghana has committed, through the 2025 national budget, to establish a Blue Economy Commission,” Mr. Antwi-Boadu announced. A Cabinet memorandum has been submitted and is currently under review. Upon approval, an Inter-Ministerial and Expert Committee will be inaugurated to drive this transformative agenda.
He stressed the urgent need for regional coordination to address the shared challenges of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, maritime insecurity, pollution, and the climate crisis. “No country in the Gulf of Guinea can tackle these challenges alone. The sea connects us, it does not divide us,” he said.
Ghana’s proposed strategic framework calls for:
• Reinforced maritime governance through an Atlantic Africa Maritime Pact
• Inclusive economic development that empowers coastal communities, women, and youth
• Adoption of modern technologies for real-time monitoring and enforcement
• Investment in sustainable marine infrastructure and Blue Corridors
• Regional scientific collaboration via a Continental Marine Research Network
• Innovative financing tools, such as Blue Bonds and public-private partnerships
• Protection of blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and tidal marshes
• Youth empowerment and education through maritime training and entrepreneurship
The workshop, held under the theme of advancing Africa’s Blue Economy in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aims to consolidate technical expertise and drive harmonized regional action. It also underscores the Gulf of Guinea Commission’s commitment to a coordinated, coherent, and resilient maritime strategy.
Ghana, currently Chair of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, has pledged to ensure that outcomes from this workshop are translated into an updated Blue Economy Action Plan backed by strong financing and measurable performance benchmarks.
In closing, Mr. Antwi-Boadu shared a bold vision: “A future where our coastal nations thrive in harmony with the ocean, preserving its health while unlocking its wealth. This is not a distant ideal, it is within reach if we act boldly, cooperatively, and urgently.”
