The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission of Ghana, has launched the Ghanaian phase of a pilot Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) project in Accra.

The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation and transboundary management of coastal and marine resources in the West African sub-region.

The project, titled “Using Marine Spatial Planning in the Gulf of Guinea for the Implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services and Coastal Nature-based Solutions (MarEcoPlan),” is a three-year, USD$3 million pilot funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). 

It is being implemented in three FCWC member states – Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The goal of MarEcoPlan is to enhance food security, climate change resilience, and sustainable livelihoods in the FCWC region by improving ecosystem management through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). 

It also seeks to generate funds through Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) to support coastal and marine restoration and protection while benefiting fisheries and coastal communities.

What is Marine Spatial Planning?

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a strategic approach to ocean governance that coordinates human activities in marine and coastal areas to balance conservation, economic development, and social objectives. 

MSP allocates space for various maritime sectors, such as fishing, shipping, conservation, renewable energy, and tourism, to minimise conflicts, establish synergies, and ensure sustainable management of marine resources.

Views of stakeholders  

The Director of the Marine Fisheries Management Division at the Fisheries Commission, Maame Esi Bordah-Quayson, speaking at the launch on October 23, 2024, highlighted the urgent need to protect Ghana’s marine and coastal resources, which are under threat from environmental challenges. 

She expressed optimism that the MSP project would help address these challenges and promote the sustainable use of marine ecosystems.

“We must seize this opportunity to make a difference in our coastal and marine ecosystems, free from unhealthy conflicts, and safeguard these precious resources that support millions of fishers in the country,” she stated.

Ms. Bordah-Quayson emphasised that sectors operating in marine and coastal spaces have often been overlooked, hindering sustainable ecosystem management. 

“As we embark on this journey by working together across sectors, disciplines, and perspectives, we must prioritise inclusivity, transparency, and accountability,” she added.

Strengthening regional cooperation

The Secretary General of the FCWC, Dr. Antoine Gaston Djihinto, underscored the project's potential to strengthen transboundary management of coastal and marine resources in the region. 

He explained that the project would review existing policies, management strategies, and regulations to ensure ecosystem sustainability. 

“This project aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the ecological status of coastal and marine ecosystems, evaluating their capacity to provide essential ecosystem services,” Dr. Djihinto stated.

In addition, he said, “Through collaborative action, let us harness the power of spatial planning, ecosystem valorization, and nature-based solutions to build a sustainable tomorrow.”

The project is set to begin in the Western Region and, if successful, will be expanded to other regions.

FCWC

Established in 2007, the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) is an intergovernmental body that facilitates cooperation in fisheries management between its member countries – Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.