Ghana will use its partnership with Norway to improve the sustainable management of marine resources, support livelihoods and promote long-term economic growth, Deputy Minister for Finance Thomas Nyarko Ampem has said.
The cooperation will be delivered through the Oceans for Development Programme and builds on the two countries’ experience of working together on the Fish for Development and Oil for Development programmes.
Speaking for the Minister for Finance at the signing of the Oceans for Development Programme Agreement, Mr Ampem said the initiative would help Ghana strengthen its institutions and promote responsible use of its marine and inland aquatic resources.
“For Ghana, this partnership is both timely and important. It aligns with our development priorities and reinforces our commitment to responsible resource management, institutional strengthening and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
The agreement provides a framework for collaboration between the Government of Ghana and the Government of Norway, represented by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). Its purpose is to support the implementation of Ghana’s Blue Economy Strategy.
Norway will offer technical assistance through relevant institutions. Its financial contribution to that support is capped at NOK100 million, subject to parliamentary appropriations.
The programme is intended to create more inclusive livelihoods, improve food security and incomes, and strengthen the governance of marine and inland aquatic ecosystems. It will also support compliance with fisheries and environmental regulations and efforts to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Mr Ampem said the partnership had particular importance as the Ghanaian government sought to protect economic gains, preserve macroeconomic stability and make more effective use of public resources.
He said the government’s priorities included fiscal discipline, greater domestic revenue mobilisation and accountability in public expenditure. Development partnerships, he added, would have to meet the same expectations for transparency and efficiency.
“However, we must recognise that partnership comes with responsibility. The resources and technical expertise provided under this programme must be used transparently, efficiently and in pursuit of clearly defined results,” he said.
Mr Ampem called on the Fisheries Commission, the Environmental Protection Authority, the Blue Economy Secretariat and other institutions involved in delivery to coordinate effectively and manage the programme professionally.
He also thanked the Norwegian government for its continued support and for its confidence in Ghana’s development agenda.
“As we sign this agreement today, let us renew our commitment to working together, translating our shared ambitions into practical action and delivering lasting benefits for the people of Ghana and Norway,” he said.
The agreement will remain in force for five years from the date of the last signature, in accordance with its terms.
