The Challenges of the Blue Economy in Ghana and the way forward

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DOI: 10.21522/TIJMG.2015.05.01.Art006

Authors : Benjamin Ashitey Amarh

Abstract:

This study paper gives highlighting to the major challenges of the blue economy in Ghana and proposes the way forward in curbing those challenges. The study gives emphasis on the fact that the full potential of the blue economy has not been well appreciated because of the major challenges that hinder the potentials of the natural resource. As valuable as it is, the blue economy is being muddled up in Ghana as the resource suffers major challenges spanning from pollution and degradation, terrorist attacks, lack of proper marine policy, over exploitation of the blue economy to climate change and these calls for the need for better ocean governance. This study intends to achieve the following objectives; first is to identify the major challenges of the blue economy in Ghana, to identify some benefits of the blue economy of Ghana and to determine and make effective commendations that would help in curbing the challenges faced by the blue economy. For the slated objectives to be achieve for this paper, review of secondary data from documented reports and the internet, publications, journals and articles were used. The primary data was a coordinated approach to major stakeholders and observation of events relating to the sea in Ghana. Valuable recommendations were presented to curtail the menace for the ordinary Ghanaian and Africa as a whole to derive the blessings of the blue economy.

Keywords: Blue Economy, threats/challenges, Marine, Ocean, solutions, Ghana.

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