Ghana calls for involving coastal communities in sea turtle protection — MyJoyOnline
In Accra, Ghana, conservation stakeholders were urged to regard coastal communities as full partners in protecting sea turtles. Dr. Andrews Agyekumhene, executive director of Ghana’s Wildlife and Human Resources Organization (WHRO), said coastal residents should be involved in planning, decision-making and monitoring conservation measures.
As MyJoyOnline reports, Agyekumhene made the statement on September 4 at the fifth Ghana National Sea Turtle Conservation Conference. He is also a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences.
Community participation in species conservation
According to Agyekumhene, the approach should shift from conservation for communities to conservation with communities. He stressed that coastal residents should not be viewed merely as recipients of environmental programmes or as people who need to be educated. Instead, they can be partners, custodians and direct participants in efforts to protect turtles.
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Agyekumhene noted that the survival of sea turtles is closely linked to the activities of coastal communities. Turtle nesting sites are located near them, while fishing and coastal development also take place there. In his view, scientific research, monitoring, legislation and enforcement remain necessary, but the sustainability of programmes also depends on whether local residents understand the value of these animals and receive direct benefits from initiatives to protect them.
Threats to sea turtles
Among the main threats to sea turtle conservation in Ghana, Agyekumhene named coastal development, light pollution, human activity and climate change. He called for stronger cooperation between researchers, conservation organisations and coastal communities, combining local knowledge with scientific data, as well as involving young people and volunteers.
The Ghana National Sea Turtle Conservation Conference was founded in 2018 as a platform for sharing knowledge among scientists, government institutions, conservationists, communities, students and volunteers. The 2026 conference was held under the theme of strengthening community participation in sea turtle conservation for lasting results. It was organised by WHRO Ghana jointly with the University of Ghana’s Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences.
