The ocean produces over 50 percent of the world’s oxygen, absorbs around 30 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and captures nearly 90 percent of the excess heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions. Despite its critical role, the ocean is under unprecedented stress. 

Over one-third of global fish stocks are overexploited, and plastic waste is set to exceed available fish by 2050 if current trends persist. In West Africa and particularly in Ghana these global challenges are deeply local. Ghana’s marine fisheries support nearly 10 percent of the population, providing food, livelihoods, and economic opportunities to over 2.7 million people. However, overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and marine pollution continue to threaten the sustainability of these marine resources. This year’s theme, reimagining a new relationship with our ocean is an urgent call to protect food security, strengthen climate resilience, and ensure sustainable economic development. For coastal countries such as Ghana, global momentum presents both an opportunity and a responsibility to translate commitments into concrete national outcomes.

The Government of Ghana has embarked on progressive reforms and partnerships to safeguard marine ecosystems and transition towards a sustainable blue economy. The development of the National Blue Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan represents a major step in aligning national priorities with the African Union’s 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS 2050). Ghana’s decision to designate its first Marine Protected Area at Cape Three Points signals a strong commitment to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration, as evidence shows that well-managed MPAs can rebuild fish stocks and strengthen resilience. Complementing these efforts, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 introduces a structural reset of the sector by establishing an independent Fisheries Commission, expanding the coastal fishing zone reserved for local fishers, strengthening penalties against IUU fishing, and mandating electronic monitoring systems for industrial vessels. Together, these reforms address governance gaps while strengthening enforcement mechanisms to protect marine livelihoods and biodiversity. 

In line with this year’s World Ocean Day theme, this blog explores the interconnected actions that reimagining and building a new relationship with the ocean requires. 

Strengthen cross-sector governance 

First, integration across sectors must be strengthened by moving beyond siloed approaches and establishing a unified ocean governance framework that aligns fisheries management, climate adaptation, and pollution control under a shared strategic vision. This means strengthening coordination among key ministries and agencies particularly those responsible for fisheries, environment, local governance, and planning to ensure policies and investments reinforce each other rather than remain fragmented. UNDP, in collaboration with the Government of Ghana and the African Union Commission (AUC), is playing a catalytic role in advancing this transformation. Through targeted technical and financial support, UNDP is helping to develop the Blue Economy Commission (Enabling) Bill and the Aquatic Resources Management Bill, to strengthen coordination and regulatory coherence. For example, efforts to sustain fisheries must be closely linked with climate resilience, given the growing impacts of ocean warming on fish stocks. Likewise, tackling especially plastic waste, needs to be integrated into wider ecosystem protection and blue economy planning. An integrated approach will optimise resources, reduce policy fragmentation, and build a more resilient and adaptive ocean governance system.

Accelerate technology adoption for monitoring and transparency 

Second, addressing IUU fishing and ensuring sustainable use of marine resources requires a shift in monitoring, control, and surveillance systems. Expanding the use of electronic monitoring, satellite tracking, and digital traceability across both industrial and artisanal fishing fleets can significantly improve transparency and accountability. UNDP is supporting the adoption of digital and satellite technologies to strengthen fisheries monitoring and transparency, including tracking fishing activity and improving traceability from catch to market. Scaling these tools alongside real-time data systems and stronger enforcement, will help detect illegal activities, ensure compliance with key regulations and improve data for evidence-based policymaking.

Mainstream circular economy solutions to address marine pollution

 Additionally, marine plastic pollution remains a critical driver of ocean degradation. Transitioning to a circular economy where plastics are reduced, reused, and recycled offers a practical pathway to minimise plastic leakage into marine ecosystems. This requires stronger waste management systems, incentives for private sector innovation, and the promotion of alternative materials across value chains. UNDP’s partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), through the GEF-funded “Establishing a Circular Economy Framework for the Plastics Sector” project, is helping address plastic leakage into Ghana’s oceans and waterways. Scaling such approaches particularly through public-private partnerships and targeted regulatory incentives, can reduce marine pollution while generating green jobs and supporting sustainable coastal economies.

Embed inclusivity in fisheries and ocean governance 

 Furthermore, inclusive governance must remain central by ensuring the active participation of coastal communities, women, and youth in decision-making from planning to enforcement. Strengthening community-based co-management systems and embedding participatory platforms can improve compliance, local stewardship, and policy effectiveness. Addressing structural barriers to finance, skills, and decision-making is critical, particularly for women who play key roles in fisheries value chains, while empowering the youth through innovation and entrepreneurship can support long-term resilience. Embedding these approaches in policy and legal frameworks will promote equitable benefit-sharing and stronger accountability. This is especially important as UNDP supports Ghana’s readiness to implement the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, a key global milestone in ocean governance.

As we celebrate World Oceans Day, the call to reimagine our relationship with the ocean must be accompanied by a commitment to act. Protecting the ocean is not the responsibility of a few, it must be a shared priority. By strengthening governance, accelerating technology adoption, mainstreaming circular economy solutions, and ensuring inclusivity in ocean governance, we can secure a resilient ocean that continues to sustain lives, livelihoods, and future generations