In order to protect the ocean’s ability to regenerate, Ghana President, Nana Akufo-Addo has pushed African nations to increase their nationally determined contributions and adaptation plans.
This would guarantee that the ocean would continue to provide the continents with significant economic, environmental, and social value.
The President announced this when he welcomed attendees to the National Blue Economy Summit (NBES) on Wednesday in Accra.
The summit’s focus is on the “health of our oceans, prosperity, and security of our planet.” In order to generate ideas and shape policy regarding the marine ecosystem, it gathered experts in the blue economy.
The two-day summit’s goals are to reduce marine pollution, improve the nation’s management, and restore coastal and marine ecosystems.
Additionally, it aims to mobilise transformational ocean action to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
The term “blue economy” describes the ethical exploitation of marine and coastal resources for enhancing economic development, quality of life, and employment.
The planet’s health and the health of the world’s populations are related, according to President Akufo-Addo, and the oceans are currently under stress from unsustainable fishing methods, pollution, marine debris, habitat loss, ocean acidification, and climate change.
He informed the audience that the oceans were the lifeblood of the planet and produced half of the planet’s oxygen supply, drove the global economy through transport trade, provided food and sustenance, mineral resources, energy, jobs, and livelihoods, as well as cultural recreation value for billions of people worldwide.
The consequences of disregarding the ocean are severe, not only for the many millions of people whose livelihoods depend on it but also for the well-being of our planet.
“Therefore, it is important to protect and preserve the ocean and all of its resources… To protect the ocean’s ability to replenish and ensure that it continues to provide significant economic, environmental, and social value for our development, we must act swiftly now.
In the case of Ghana, President Akufo-Addo pointed out that the country’s coastal exclusive economic zone spans 218,000 square kilometres and is home to more than 7.5 million people.
Unfortunately, there are serious threats to Ghana’s coastal and marine resources, including biodiversity loss, pollution, ocean dumping, overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, piracy, and trafficking.
The President stated that these threats “are avoidable,” and that failing to address them would have negative effects on many people’s ability to make a living, as well as important ecosystems, critical infrastructure, and the security and stability of the entire African continent.
We receive food, employment, and income from the blue economy, just like many other coastal nations in Africa. For instance, the fishing industry in Ghana employs about 10% of the labour force and contributes 4.5% of the nation’s GDP.
“Additionally, 70 percent of Ghana’s trade is carried by sea through the ports of Tema and Takoradi. If ocean resources are managed sustainably, we are in a good position to profit from them, he said.
As a result, the President put forth a five-point agenda for immediate action at the national and continental levels to safeguard the ocean, the planet, and everyone’s well-being.
He argued that in order to prevent overfishing and promote ethical fishing methods, the continent must prioritise the sustainable management of its oceans through the establishment and enforcement of strict regulations.
“We must collaborate closely with our international partners as well to establish marine protected areas, safeguard critical habitats, and promote biodiversity conservation.”
Second, the President advocated for Africa to strengthen its strategic alliances and form a forward-thinking alliance with the private sector, academia, civil society organisations, and community leaders for improved ocean health and accelerated community development.
He asserted that the continent must deliberately make more informed investments in ocean action.
To overcome the difficulties facing the blue economy and pave the way for a better future, President Akufo-Addo also urged investment in research, technological advancements, and innovation.
The sharing of data and research findings, as well as cooperation on joint projects, were additional demands made by him.
“We must recognise the interconnectivity of our global community and the need for international collaboration. The challenges facing the ocean transcend borders and no single nation can tackle them alone… We can leverage the collective wisdom and expertise of nations worldwide.
“Together, we can drive innovation, develop sustainable solutions, and address the pressing issues that threaten the ocean. The ocean is the life source of our planet, a healthy ocean, human wellbeing, and sustainable ocean management are inseparably interconnected,” he stressed.
As soon as possible, he urged summit attendees to put forth proposals for policies that would aid Ghana and the rest of Africa in safeguarding their oceans and marine life.