Ghana will join the global community to observe World Oceans Day on June 8th, with a national theme: “Awaken New Depths”
A press statement signed by the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs Ophelia Mensah Hayford, on Thursday, announced plans for the celebration.
The celebration reflects the importance of the ocean for all life forms on earth and has been selected to promote public awareness and actions for sustainable ocean management.
The statement said, “The objective of the celebration is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for ocean’s protection, mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.”
According to the statement, this year’s celebration was imperative as it serves as a wake-up call to Ghanaians to explore new depths to deepen strategic partnerships among stakeholders and the need to build a progressive coalition for enhanced ocean health and the accelerated development of our coastal communities and country at large.
It stated that activities for the celebration include public education and awareness creation on sustainable ocean management practices, dialogues on topics including Ocean and Climate Nexus, Science and Innovation, Capacity Building, Biodiversity, and Traditional and Local Community Knowledge.
There will also be exhibitions and media engagements to advance efforts to awaken and explore new depths to achieve sustainable national ocean governance, protection and sustainable development goals 14 & 6 for enhanced ocean health.
The Minister urged Ghanaians to “use this day as a catalyst for social change; to underscore humanity’s connectivity to the ocean, illustrate its cross-sector potential, awaken new depths to chart a path to a cleaner, healthier and sustainable ocean for both ourselves and for posterity’s sake.”
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
