UN Ghana cleans Ussher Fort beach

The ocean is the largest, most complex ecosystem on Earth. It covers 71% of the planet’s surface and is responsible for producing at least half of the world’s oxygen and regulating the climate, as well as providing means of livelihood for over three billion people. Unfortunately, the health of our oceans and the creatures that call them home are facing unprecedented threats resulting from pollution and it is being overfished. In the efforts to scale up action and set in motion science-based innovation solutions for global ocean action, the Governments of Kenya and Portugal are co-hosting the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon Portugal from 27 June to 1 July.

The importance of protecting our marines, seas and oceans cannot be underestimated. Our oceans are our lifeblood; they provide us with jobs, they offer clean energy, and they store carbon, all of which are important. They also provide the habitat for many species of animals and plants, which are essential to our planet.

The United Nations in Ghana held a clean-up exercise at the Ussher Fort Beach as part of activities leading to the UN Ocean Conference taking place in Lisbon, Portugal. The clean-up was held in partnership with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, and was supported by UN-Habitat.



Residents of the community, representing a large proportion of fisherfolk, were actively involved. They were sensitized on the essence of protecting our marines, oceans and seas.

Speaking at the event, the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani said, “Life in the ocean is extremely important. If it dies, so do we. And so, it is really important that we work from community level, across governments, across society to ensure that we are not dumping waste in the ocean.” He further emphasized on the need to be more sustainable and ‘go green’.

In 2015, the UN adopted the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals which included the goal of ensuring that our oceans are healthy and protected. SDG 14 aims to protect our oceans from further degradation and pollution, and to ensure that they continue to support current and future generations. It is to ensure that the ocean is healthy and productive, and that its ecosystems are healthy and resilient. Overfishing, pollution, and development have all taken a toll on the ocean’s health and ability to support life. Studies have shown that more than 80% of marine pollution originates on land and is caused by direct human impact. An estimated eight to fourteen million metric tons of plastic end up in our ocean each year, much of which originates from our waste streams and consumer habits. The majority of this plastic ends up in our oceans as a result of our littering and improper waste management practices, both of which are largely caused by human behavior.

Keeping the oceans clean starts with each of us. The world’s oceans are the lungs of our planet, and healthy oceans support healthy people. This is why it is important to scale up both ocean action and ocean knowledge.

Watch the video on the clean-up exercise by the UN Ghana.