Dr Isaac Okyere, Senior Lecturer in Fisheries Science and Ocean Governance at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), says the newly established Africa Ocean Institute seeks to bridge the long-standing scientific research and policy formulation gap in Ghana’s marine sector.
Dr Okyere said the institute, recently approved by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, was created to harmonise fragmented research efforts and strengthen collaboration among institutions working within the marine and coastal space.
He explained that the institute was formed by integrating the Centre for Coastal Management, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, and a newly created Centre for Marine Affairs to enhance coordination and impact.
He disclosed this during a media engagement empowered by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) on the theme, “UCC’s Africa Ocean Institute: Positioning Ghana as a Hub for Marine Research, Policy and Blue Economy Growth”.
According to him, although the existing centres had made significant contributions over the years, their operations had largely been carried out in silos, limiting their overall effectiveness in addressing national development needs.
“We realised that the activities of these centres were compartmentalised, and there was the need to bring them together to complement each other and address gaps within the marine and coastal sector,” he said.
Dr Okyere noted that one of the major challenges the institute aimed to address was the disconnect between research findings and policy implementation.
He explained that while academic institutions generated valuable evidence-based research, such findings were often not effectively translated into actionable policies.
“There has been a decoupling between research, policy, and industry actions, and the institute seeks to bridge this gap by bringing science, policy, and practice together,” he stated.
He added that the institute would work closely with key government agencies, including the Fisheries Commission and relevant ministries, to ensure that research outputs directly informed policy decisions.
Dr Okyere cited the implementation of Ghana’s fisheries close season policy as an example of successful collaboration between academia and government, noting that such partnerships would be expanded under the institute.
The senior lecturer indicated that the institute would focus on capacity building, interdisciplinary research, and stakeholder engagement to support Ghana’s blue economy agenda.
He said the initiative would also help address environmental and governance challenges within the marine sector while unlocking economic opportunities in fisheries, coastal tourism, and marine resources.
Dr Okyere emphasised that strengthening collaboration among research institutions and policymakers was critical to avoiding duplication of efforts and ensuring efficient use of resources.
He expressed optimism that the Africa Ocean Institute would serve as a strategic platform to drive innovation, inform policy, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable marine and coastal development in Ghana.
By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA