The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has called for an urgent and united action by all sectors of society to preserve the country’s ocean resources.
That, she said, was because continued degradation posed serious threats to food security, livelihoods, and national development, underscoring the vital role of oceans in sustaining life and the nation’s economy.
“Let us be clear that we cannot afford to continue down this path. The degradation of our oceans is not an environmental issue alone; it is a developmental issue, a public health concern, a food security issue and a human rights issue,” she stated.
Prof. Klutse made the call in a keynote address at the 2025 World Oceans Day commemoration in Accra last Friday.
World Ocean Day
Celebrated annually on June 8, World Oceans Day raises global awareness of the vital role oceans play in sustaining life and inspires actions to protect and preserve marine ecosystems for future generations.
While the global theme for this year’s celebration was “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” Ghana adopted the local theme: “Preserving Our Oceans, Protecting Our Future.”
As part of the commemoration, five senior high schools (SHS) participated in an art competition, using creative expression to propose solutions to the growing threat of ocean degradation.
The event also featured a panel discussion that brought together experts and stakeholders to deliberate on their respective roles in safeguarding Ghana’s marine environment.
Threats
Prof. Klutse warned that the country’s marine environment was under increasing threat from overfishing, plastic pollution, coastal erosion and climate change.
She cited illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing as a major culprit, destroying fish stocks and harming artisanal fishing communities.
She also revealed that the nation produced over 1.1 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of which ended up in the ocean, according to a 2023 UNDP report.
“Mangrove forests, coral reefs, and estuarine wetlands are being lost at alarming rates due to sand winning, coastal development and pollution,” she lamented, emphasising the crucial roles they play in protecting coastal areas.
Reserving trend
The EPA boss stated that reversing that trend required courageous decisions and a collective national effort.
She urged policymakers to enact and enforce strong, science-based laws to protect marine environments and called on businesses to adopt ocean-friendly technologies.
“To our future leaders, say no to single-use plastics, reuse and recycle whenever you can. Every small action counts. Together, we can reduce plastic pollution and keep our oceans clean for future generations. To all Ghanaians, let us rethink our consumption, reduce our waste and restore our waters,” she charged.
She further stressed that ocean degradation is not merely an environmental issue but a development, public health and human rights concern. She called for a shift in mindset and consumption patterns to reduce waste and restore marine ecosystems.
Interventions
Outlining the authority’s interventions, Prof. Klutse highlighted the National Plastics Management Policy and the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA RESIP 2), which was helping restore mangroves and rehabilitate critical sites such as the Korle Lagoon, Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site and Densu Delta.
She also announced that the EPA was stepping up community engagement through ocean literacy campaigns, school outreach programmes and youth-led coastal clean-ups hence the painting competition among five SHS schools.
