The Establishing the Enabling Conditions for Effective MPA Implementation in Ghana’s Greater Cape Three Points Area project aims to support the establishment and effective management of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points Area (GCTPA). It is designed to build on efforts led by the Feed the Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA) and Hen Mpoano, the 3-year project aligns with Ghana’s Fisheries Management Plan (2022–2026), which targets the designation of two MPAs by the year 2026.
Recognizing the critical role of local communities, this project seeks to strengthen capacities at the community, district, and regional levels for MPA management, ensuring inclusive decision-making and effective enforcement of conservation measures. Additionally, it will integrate participatory research approaches to enhance scientific understanding of fisheries, habitats, and biodiversity, while also promoting sustained community engagement and education on marine conservation benefits.
Policy linkages will be strengthened to enhance political support for Ghana’s MPA implementation, and targeted livelihood interventions which will mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of MPA-related fishing restrictions on coastal communities.
To achieve these objectives, the project is designed to facilitate leadership and technical capacity-building for Hen Mpoano and community management committees to develop participatory monitoring mechanisms and conduct extensive stakeholder engagements.
Activities outlined for the project include study tours, conservation leadership training, production of educational materials, and community-led patrols. Research efforts which integrate local ecological knowledge with scientific methodologies to inform adaptive management. Moreover, policy engagement strategies will ensure continued governmental commitment to MPA designation and integration into national biodiversity and fisheries management plans.
Lastly the inclusion of vocational training and enterprise support programs will be expanded to provide alternative livelihoods for youth in affected fishing communities, ensuring that conservation efforts are socially and economically sustainable.
