In a move to safeguard Ghana’s marine ecosystem and critical offshore assets, the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has intensified its community outreach, urging fisherfolk in Abia and Prampram in the Ningo-Prampam District of the Greater Accra Region to become active partners in the fight against sea pollution and maritime crime.

The Monitoring and Enforcement Unit of the GMA, during a sensitisation exercise on Thursday, February 26, 2026, warned that protecting the ocean today is the only way to guarantee the livelihoods of future generations. Addressing the local fishing community, a Senior Maritime Officer, Jessie Neta Jeffery underscored the importance of safeguarding Ghana’s rich marine resources by desisting from disposing of plastics and sachet water wrappers into the ocean.

Plastic Disposal
Ms Jeffery who also doubles as the coordinator of the sensitisation programme urged the fisherfolks to store plastic waste within their canoes for proper disposal upon returning to shore, while also being reminded that proper sewage management is essential to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem for future generations.

Beyond environmental concerns, the officials also cautioned fishers against the consumption of alcohol while at sea, noting that impaired judgment significantly increases the risk of maritime accidents.

Similarly, the team stressed that fishing near or approaching offshore installations such as sub-sea cables could lead to severe national economic losses or a total economic shutdown of internet accessibility.

The GMA officials also lamented at reports of potential collusion between some fishers and unscrupulous individuals to smuggle arms into the country, reiterating a firm commitment to working with security agencies to clamp down on such illegal activities.

Fisherfolks
The Zonal Chief Fisherman, Nene Agborketi, and the Chief Fisherman of Upper Prampram, Nii Tettey Nartey, expressed gratitude for the outreach and appealed to the GMA for enhanced support and resources such as the provision of large waste bins at beaches to improve sanitation.

The community leaders also requested that the Authority to make life jackets more accessible for purchase at vantage points. To further bolster security and order, the fisherfolk urged the GMA and Marine Police to intensify patrols and surveillance, specifically suggesting the monitoring of canoes to prevent the carriage of cutlasses and other sharp objects during fishing expeditions