The Sustainable Develop­ment Goals (SDG) Advi­sory Unit and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) organised a workshop for key stakeholders to validate Ghana’s Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP).

The objective of the validation exercise was to assess the scientific rigour, practical feasibility, and social equity of the draft ocean plan, with the aim of producing a validated, evidence-based Plan.

This Plan will serve as a robust foundation for the long-term sustainability of the ocean and the development of a national blue economy strategy document for Ghana.

The two-day workshop, held con­currently across four coastal regions, brought together marine profes­sionals, policy experts, civil society organisations (CSOs), and commu­nity leaders to critically evaluate and validate the SOP.

Participants examined the Plan’s key pillars: Ocean wealth: sustain­able utilisation of ocean resources, Ocean health: restoring and sus­taining healthy marine ecosystems; Ocean security: ensuring safe and secure conditions at sea for all.

The Chairman of NDPC and Senior Advisor to the President on SDGs, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, who addressed the workshop through zoom, emphasised the importance of the Sustainable Ocean Plan in balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

He noted that the Plan would provide a roadmap to safeguard the health and resilience of Ghana’s oceans, guide public and private investment decisions, and strength­en institutional coordination. He expressed gratitude to partners and stakeholders, wishing them fruitful deliberations and a successful valida­tion workshop.

Delivering the welcome remarks on behalf of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mrs. Jemima Lamptey, Regional Development Planning Officer, expressed appreci­ation to the conveners and partici­pants.

She noted that the oceans provid­ed food, jobs, energy, trade, and cul­tural opportunities for millions of Ghanaians, but face serious threats from pollution, over-exploitation, climate change, and unsustainable land use.

She further emphasised that the Sustainable Ocean Plan seeks to strike a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability, reflecting Ghana’s commitment to sustainably manage 100 per cent of its ocean jurisdic­tion by 2050.

In a solidarity message, Com­mander Abu Zakaria of the Ghana Navy, highlighted the inclusive pro­cess that produced the SOP under the leadership and support of the SDG Advisory Unit.

He explained that the Plan reflect­ed Ghana’s national priorities while aligning with UN SDG 14 (Life Below Water), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and global ocean science efforts.

He stressed that the validation exercise was not just a formality but an opportunity to confirm the vi­sion, principles, and actions to guide Ghana’s ocean governance.

Providing an overview, the SOP Consultant, Mr. Ebenezer Appi­ah-Sampong, outlined the size and character of Ghana’s ocean space, including territorial waters, conti­nental shelf, fishing zones, lagoons, estuaries, wetlands, and coastline resources.

He also highlighted key econom­ic and natural resources such as fisheries, offshore hydrocarbons, minerals, ports, cultural sites, and subsea cables, noting that while these contribute significantly to the blue economy, they were under increasing pressure from illegal fish­ing, pollution, coastal erosion, and climate change.

Mr Appiah-Sampong further explained that Ghana, as a mem­ber of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, has committed to bring 30 per cent of its ocean space under sustainable management by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050.