Palais des Rois Sardes, Nice – June 2025
Ghana has joined other African nations at the high-level “Africa for Ocean” Summit of Heads of State and Government, held this afternoon on the margins of the United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice, France. The Summit was co-organized by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Government of France as a strategic platform to advance Africa’s collective leadership in ocean conservation and governance.
Representing Ghana at the Summit were:
Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs
The Summit brought together African Heads of State, Ministers, and high-level policymakers to articulate a unified continental agenda for marine biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and the inclusive growth of the blue economy.
Key Priorities Discussed:
- Advancing Africa-led marine conservation and climate action, with a focus on sustainable fisheries, habitat restoration, and resilience building.
- Deepening regional and international partnerships to enhance coordinated responses to ocean health challenges.
- Promoting innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building to empower local communities and institutions.
- Elevating Africa’s voice in global ocean governance, ensuring fair representation in multilateral environmental agreements and negotiations.
Ghana’s active engagement in the Summit underscores its ongoing commitment to multilateral collaboration for the sustainable management of ocean resources. It also reflects the country’s leadership in initiatives such as the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), enforcement and the adoption of technological tools to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Speaking at the sidelines of the event, Hon. Emelia Arthur noted, “Africa must be at the forefront of shaping the global ocean agenda. Ghana stands ready to work with our neighbours and partners to ensure the protection of our marine ecosystems and the prosperity of our coastal communities.”
The “Africa for Ocean” Summit represents a critical moment for African countries to solidify shared priorities and push for a stronger continental presence in ocean diplomacy and environmental sustainability efforts.
