Intersectoral Blue Economy Committee Begins Technical Review of Draft Blue Economy Commission Bill

The Intersectoral Blue Economy Committee has begun a three-day technical review of the draft Blue Economy Commission Bill in Accra.

It began on August 18 and will end on August 20.

The review will pave the way for nationwide stakeholder consultations scheduled for September.

The 19-member committee, comprising directors and representatives from PPBMED core sector ministries, the Attorney General’s Department, NDPC, the SDGs Office, the Management Services Division and the Ghana Navy, is reviewing the draft Bill prepared by consultant Dr Godwin Djokoto.

Speaking on behalf of Chair Dr. Afisah Zakariah, the Coordinator of the Blue Economy Secretariat, Mr Fred Antwi Boadu, said the review was critical because the committee had led the development of Ghana’s National Blue Economy Policy.

According to him, the exercise will help ensure the proposed legislation is fully aligned with the policy’s objectives and Ghana’s broader blue economy ambitions.

The Bill builds on extensive work undertaken since February 2025, including the development and Cabinet approval of the Ghana Blue Economy Strategy, the 10-Year Action Plan (2025–2035), the Ghana National Blue Economy Policy and the Harmonised Blue Economy Strategy and Sustainable Ocean Plan.

The drafting consultancy, including the competitive selection, was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Following the technical review, consultations will be held across the Southern, Middle and Northern zones, followed by engagement with Parliament’s Select Committee and a national validation meeting.

The finalised Bill is expected to be submitted to Cabinet and presented to Parliament by the end of September 2026.

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