The ocean world faces significant threats from plastic waste and untreated sewage, particularly from urban areas.
To stem this tide, the University of Ghana, in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of Rhode Island, has launched the Ocean Margins Initiative (OMI).
This research initiative, funded by Schmidt Sciences, aims to understand the ocean with a focus on carbon cycling and resilience. The project will establish an integrated observing and modeling framework to assess local and global ocean processes affecting coastal communities.
Dr. Edem Mahu, Co-Lead of the OMI project, emphasized the importance of public support in protecting the ocean for future generations.
“We need to change our attitudes towards managing plastics and discharging waste into waterways,” Dr. Mahu stated at the opening ceremony.
“Whatever you put into the ocean, even if you are inland, can end up in the ocean. This affects not only the ocean, but also the fish we consume.”
Peter Dery, Director of the Environment Division at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, highlighted the government’s efforts to protect water bodies like the Korle Lagoon from further degradation.
“We will be carrying out pilot projects to establish waste collection centers along the Korle Lagoon, create buffers, and educate people about the importance of the Lagoon,” Dery explained. “The Lagoon connects to the sea, and pollution through the Lagoon affects marine life.”
Kate Ansah, Secretary for the National Fisheries Association of Ghana, underscored the relevance of the project for fisherfolks.
“As fishermen, we need to understand what is happening in the sea and the ocean,” she said. “This research is crucial for us to know why fish stocks are declining and how we can adapt.”
The OMI initiative will also include capacity-building efforts, such as a summer school for marine science and engagement with local fishermen and the public. These efforts aim to ensure the practical application of findings for the sustainable development of the ocean.
