Ghana Fisheries and Coastal Governa

The Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance (ICFG) Project for the Western Region of Ghana is a four year initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development and implemented by the Coastal Resources Center of the University of Rhode Island. The project will contribute to the goal of ensuring that Ghana's coastal and marine ecosystems are being developed and conserved in a sustainable manner, and that the goods and services produced by coastal ecosystems and fisheries are generating a diversity of long-term socio-economic benefits for coastal communities while sustaining biodiversity.

The Project is assisting the government and key stakeholders to develop the enabling conditions needed for improved governance. This includes supportive constituencies, capable national and local level institutions, and clear goals for management. The project also seeks to demonstrate the changes in behavior of resource users and government institutions needed at the local and national level to support an ecosystem-based approach to coastal and fisheries planning, and more sustainable forms of coastal resources use. The project supports actions leading to enhanced social and economic benefits for coastal resource users, particularly fishermen. The Project operates principally in the Western Region, but is designed to establish strong linkages to governmental coordinating bodies and policy makers at the national level and to the region-wide Guinea Current LME.