Plans to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along parts of Ghana’s offshore have triggered fresh discussions over how to balance conservation with the country’s petroleum ambitions; following high-level talks between the Petroleum Commission and the Fisheries Commission.
The meeting, held yesterday at the Commission, focused on concerns that sections of the proposed protected marine zones could overlap with existing offshore petroleum contract areas and blocks currently being marketed to investors.
Ag. Deputy Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission, Nasir Alfa Mohammed, Esq cautioned that introducing new operational restrictions in areas already covered by petroleum agreements could undermine investor confidence in Ghana’s upstream oil and gas sector.
“Several companies have already committed significant resources to technical evaluations and commercial assessments within these offshore blocks,” he said. “Any uncertainty around access and operations could affect future investment decisions,” he added.
The areas identified as potentially affected include the Shallow Water Cape Three Points contract area, the GH_WB_01 block, and the GH_CB_05 block extending from the Saltpond Basin.
The Fisheries Commission, however, argued that the MPA initiative is part of Ghana’s international environmental obligations and efforts to protect declining marine ecosystems.
“The MPA framework is intended to protect critical fish breeding and nursery grounds while still allowing selected economic activities under regulated conditions,” Technical Advisor at the Fisheries Commission, Technical Advisor at the Fisheries Commission, Prof. FKE Nunoo explained.
The two institutions however acknowledged the strategic importance of petroleum production to Ghana’s economy.
Prof. Nunoo further indicated that petroleum production around existing offshore facilities could continue under strict environmental safeguards and buffer arrangements, although exploration activities in sensitive nursery grounds would be discouraged.
Petroleum Commission’s Ag. Chief Executive Officer again called for continued technical engagement between the two institutions.
He stressed the need for decisions on the MPA framework to be guided by “technical evidence, proper stakeholder consultation, and national economic considerations,” while also emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Ghana’s offshore petroleum investments alongside sustainable environmental management.
The discussions also highlighted broader concerns over institutional coordination and offshore spatial planning, with both agencies agreeing to strengthen data sharing and technical collaboration going forward.