Transboundary management of coastal marine resources project launched in Accra

 A project aimed at strengthening coopera­tion and transboundary management of coastal and marine resources to improve food security and climate change resilience has been launched in Accra yesterday.

The project titled, “Use of Marine Spatial Planning in the Gulf of Guinea for the Implemen­tation of Payment for Ecosystem Services and Coastal Nature-based Solutions (MarEcoPlan)”, would ensure the sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems in Ghana.

It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in three of the Fisheries Committee of the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) member states thus, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo.

Speaking at the launch, the Director of Marine Fisheries Management Division of the Fish­eries Commission (FC), Maame Esi Bordah-Quayson said that the marine and ecosystems were being threatened by environmental challenges, hence, the vital need for the project.

“Let us seize this opportunity to make the difference in our coastal and marine ecosystem, devoid of unhealthy conflicts and safeguard these precious resources, which provides millions of fishers for the country,” she said.

Ms Bordah-Quayson noted that various sectors operating in the coastal and marine space have been overlooked, thereby prevent­ing adequate compensation and hindering sustainable ecosystem management.

She defined marine spatial planning as the public process of analysing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives to ensure sustain­ability of marine resources.

“As we embark on this journey by working together across sectors, disciplines and perspectives, let us keep in mind the importance of inclusivity, transparency and accountability,” she said.

Highlighting some activities of the project, the Secretary General of the FCWC, Dr Antoine Gaston Djihinto, said that the project would review current policies, management strategies and regula­tions in regard to ecosystems to en­sure sustainability of the systems.

“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,”he said.

Dr Djihinto noted that the project would have a representative who would serve as an intermedi­ary between Ghana and the FCWC General Secretariat to facilitate and supervise the implementation of the project activities at the national level.

He stated that the project would last for three years and would commence in the Western Region, adding that if effective would extend to the various regions in the county.

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

 BY AGNES OWUSU

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