UCC Launches Africa Ocean Institute to Tackle Climate and Coastal Governance Challenges

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has officially established the Africa Ocean Institute (AOI), positioning itself at the forefront of marine research and coastal governance on the continent.

The new institute, approved by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), will operate under UCC’s College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences and is aimed at addressing mounting environmental and policy challenges affecting Africa’s oceans and coastal regions.

Speaking at a press conference in Cape Coast, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto said the establishment of the AOI followed the completion of all required internal processes and formal approval from GTEC.

Prof. Aheto described the initiative as a strategic response to increasing pressures on Africa’s marine ecosystems, including climate change, overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution, and weak coordination between scientific research and policy implementation.

He noted that coastal and marine environments remain central to Africa’s economy, supporting food security, maritime trade, biodiversity conservation, and livelihoods for millions of people.

According to him, the Institute is designed not only to generate cutting-edge marine research but also to bridge the gap between science and governance by informing policy decisions with evidence-based data.

The creation of the AOI places UCC among a growing number of African institutions investing in specialised research hubs to confront environmental risks that disproportionately affect coastal communities.

University officials say the Institute will collaborate with regional and international partners to promote sustainable ocean management, enhance climate resilience, and support capacity building for young researchers across Africa.

The launch signals UCC’s expanding role in advancing research that directly addresses continental development priorities, particularly in sectors where environmental sustainability intersects with economic growth.