Ghana and Norway sign agreement to boost blue economy

Ghana and Norway have signed a five-year cooperation agreement under the Oceans for Development Programme to promote sustainable marine resource management and support Ghana’s Blue Economy Strategy.

Norway will provide technical assistance worth up to 100 million Norwegian kroner (approximately $10.6 million), subject to parliamentary funding approval. The partnership aims to strengthen the governance of marine and inland aquatic ecosystems, improve food security, and enhance livelihoods in coastal communities.

A key focus of the initiative is to improve compliance with environmental regulations and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. This support is intended to protect a sector that generates more than $425 million in annual exports for Ghana. Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem stated that the agreement aligns with Ghana’s national development priorities regarding responsible resource management and institutional strengthening.