Marine resources, multi-stakeholder governance, and local livelihoods in Ghana: A case study from Ghana’s Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site

Abstract This study investigates the interconnections between marine resource management, local livelihoods, and governance structures at the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site in Ghana. Employing a mixed-methods approach guided by the Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Framework, the study combines qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with quantitative survey data from 302 respondents across three coastal communities. Findings reveal that marine resources, particularly fishing, are central to the socioeconomic fabric of these communities. Livelihood outcomes are significantly influenced by financial, natural, human, social, and physical capital, with financial capital emerging as the strongest predictor of these outcomes. However, challenges such as institutional overlaps, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to credit, and exclusion of women and youth from decision-making constrain sustainable governance. The study emphasizes the necessity for an inclusive, decentralized co-governance framework that combines traditional conservation practices with contemporary regulatory systems. Policy recommendations include the formation of a Multi-Stakeholder Lagoon Management Board, community-based monitoring, microcredit schemes, and investments in cold storage and aquaculture. These findings offer actionable pathways for enhancing ecological resilience and improving the livelihoods of coastal populations.