The MPA is a portion of the sea where fishing activities are prohibited or limited to reduce overexploitation of fish stock, while sustaining marine resources.

Her tour was to engage with more than 20 coastal communities within the Greater Cape Three Points enclave that had been identified as ecologically and biologically significant for the MPA.

It was also part of government’s final consultative efforts ahead of the official declaration of Ghana’s first MPA, a historic feat in marine resource conservation.

During the three-day visit, the Minister held direct, community-level conversations with fisher folks gathering their views, clarifying intentions, and securing local support for this vital resource management initiative.

The meeting was facilitated by Hen Mpoano, a non-governmental organisation focused on coastal and marine ecosystem, and an active partner in ensuring grassroots participation in the process.

Madam Arthur disclosed during the event that her ministry was working on a new Legislative Instrument (LI) that would create a fairer spatial distribution at sea that would allow artisanal fishers to operate slightly farther offshore while, pushing industrial vessels even further out.

According to her, the initiative was designed to reduce conflict between the two groups and promote sustainable fishing for all players.

The communities visited expressed their full support for the creation of MPA to replenish the country’s fisheries and support their livelihoods.

The Minister, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Shama, was accompanied by officials from her ministry, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the MPA, and Mr Ebenezer Aidoo, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ahanta West.