Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience |  University of Cape Coast

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in partnership with the Centre for Coastal Management at the University of Cape Coast and supported by the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) Secretariat, has inaugurated Ghana’s first Ocean Accounts Technical Working Group to lead the development of the country’s first Ocean Economy Satellite Account (OESA).

The Working Group brings together 16 institutions across Government, academia, and civil society to compile the first national account measuring the true contribution of Ghana’s ocean based and ocean dependent sectors—including fisheries, tourism, oil and gas, salt mining, shipping, and coastal construction. By highlighting these sectors, the OESA will enable Government to better understand the scale, dynamics, and opportunities within Ghana’s blue economy

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Francis Bright Mensah, Acting Deputy Government Statistician, underscored the importance of the initiative, noting that the OESA will provide Government with critical evidence to shape policies and strategic plans for Ghana’s ocean economy.

Prof. Precious Mattah, Acting Director of the Centre for Coastal Management, highlighted the timeliness of the effort, pointing to Ghana’s newly developed Blue Economy Strategy and Sustainable Oceans Plan.

Technical presentations were delivered by Ms. Sarah Taylor of the GOAP Secretariat, Ms. Akua Okyere Nyako, Ocean Accounts Fellow, and Dr. Bernice Ofosu Baadu, Head of the Agriculture and Environment Section at GSS. The session outlined data needs and access pathways for compiling the OESA.

Member institutions affirmed their commitment to providing the necessary data to ensure the successful development of Ghana’s first Ocean Economy Satellite Account.