University of Ghana School of Law Holds Ocean Governance Training Seminar for Public Sector Stakeholders

October 24, 2025

The Ocean Governance, Research and Development Project (OGP) at the University of Ghana School of Law successfully organised a two-day training seminar on 16th and 17th October 2025, held at the AH Hotel in Accra. The workshop was on theme “Emerging Legal and Policy Issues in Ocean Governance: BBNJ Agreement and Marine Technology Transfer” that sought to strengthen the capacity of public sector stakeholders involved in maritime governance.

The seminar brought together over 30 participants from various ministries, departments, and agencies to explore critical contemporary issues in maritime law and policy. The event was officially opened by Dr. Godwin Djokoto, who emphasised the project’s core mandate of building the capacity of public sector actors whose work intersects with ocean governance. He further highlighted the importance of creating a critical mass of well-informed ocean practitioners to advance Ghana's blue economy agenda.

The two-day seminar was structured around thematic sessions, each focusing on key legal, policy, scientific, and dimensions of ocean governance.
Day 1: Emerging Legal and Policy Issues in Ocean Governance: BBNJ Agreement and Marine Technology Transfer featured two technical sessions:

  • Mr. Oliver Barker- Vomawor, technical consultant for the OGP, delivered a comprehensive overview of the BBNJ Agreement, the international treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. His presentation unpacked the treaty’s four key pillars: Marine Genetic Resources, Area-Based Management Tools, Environmental Impact Assessments, and Capacity Building & Technology Transfer. The session sparked robust discussion on the strategic opportunities and implementation challenges for Ghana and West Africa.
  • Dr. Godwin Djokoto led the second session, focusing on the legal frameworks and practical imperatives for marine technology transfer under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The discussion highlighted the vital role of technology in areas such as maritime boundary delimitation, fisheries management, and marine scientific research. Participants examined the obligations of states to cooperate and identify pathways for Ghana to proactively acquire and develop the necessary technological capacity to harness its ocean resources sustainably.

Day 2: The Legal Science and Managerial Perspectives on Marine Protected Areas shifted focus to the critical topic of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

  • Prof. F. K. E. Nunoo, a fisheries science expert, provided a scientific rationale for MPAs in the first session. He presented a stark assessment of Ghana's declining fish stocks and used foundational population dynamics to illustrate how MPAs serve as a vital tool for replenishing fisheries. In addition, he announced the Cabinet’s approval of Ghana’s first formal Marine Protected Area in the Greater Cape Three Points area.
  • Dr. Djokoto returned to lead a session on the legal architecture for MPAs in Ghana, analysing key legislation such as the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023, and the Fisheries Act, 2014. He outlined the multi-sectoral and consultative legal processes required to establish MPAs and addressed both the empowering provisions and the constitutional safeguards for compensation.

The seminar fostered dynamic discussions among participants from institutions such as the Ghana Navy, Ghana Maritime Authority, Fisheries Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and the National Security Ministry. Attendees shared operational insights and challenges, contributing to a rich exchange of ideas.

Participants received certificates of participation, recognising their commitment to enhancing Ghana’s ocean governance capacity. This seminar marks the second in a series organised by the Ocean Governance Project, with funding support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

The project reaffirms the University of Ghana School of Law's commitment to leading scholarly and policy-relevant discourse on ocean governance, positioning Ghana as a thought leader in maritime affairs within the sub-region.