GTA to launch nationwide beach clean up campaign under Blue Ghana Initiative

CEO of GTA, Maame Efua Houadjeto

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, is set to launch a major beach clean up campaign across selected beaches in Accra and surrounding coastal communities as part of a new environmental sustainability drive dubbed "The Blue Ghana Initiative: Protecting Our Beaches, Preserving Our Future."

The initiative comes in the wake of recent flooding that devastated several parts of the Greater Accra Region and renewed concerns over poor waste management and environmental degradation.

On June 29, 2026, Accra experienced one of its heaviest rainfalls in recent years, resulting in severe flooding in communities including Alajo, Circle, Kaneshie, Odawna, Tse Addo and Weija. The disaster claimed lives, displaced hundreds of residents and destroyed property.

In the aftermath of the floods, disaster management agencies and city authorities again identified indiscriminate disposal of waste into drains and waterways as a major factor contributing to the flooding.

Environmental experts have consistently warned that waste dumped into drains eventually makes its way into rivers and the sea, polluting Ghana's coastline, threatening marine ecosystems and affecting communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing and tourism.

Against this background, the Ghana Tourism Authority says the Clean the Beach Campaign is intended to promote environmental responsibility while preserving some of Ghana's most valuable natural resources.

According to the Authority, Ghana's beaches are not only important tourist attractions but also critical environmental and economic assets that support biodiversity, sustain coastal livelihoods and enhance the country's international image.

The Authority believes that clean beaches contribute to improved public health, healthier marine ecosystems and reinforce the importance of environmental stewardship.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, called on all Ghanaians to play an active role in protecting the country's coastline.

"Our beaches are not just tourist attractions. They are the face we show the world and an inheritance we owe future generations. Every piece of plastic that chokes a drain in Accra has the potential to end up on our shores. We cannot continue to treat our environment as someone else's responsibility. Cleaning our beaches and keeping them clean is a national duty that belongs to all of us," she said.

Dubbed "The Blue Ghana Initiative," the campaign is envisioned as a national movement that places environmental sustainability at the heart of tourism development while encouraging citizens to actively protect Ghana's natural heritage.

The Ghana Tourism Authority is also appealing to manufacturers of bottled water, beverages and other plastic packaged products to become key partners in tackling plastic pollution.

Beyond participating in beach clean up exercises, the Authority is urging producers to invest in recycling programmes, promote responsible plastic waste management and support public education on proper waste disposal.

The Authority also expressed support for the Government of Ghana's efforts to phase out harmful single use plastics, including take away food containers and other plastic products that significantly contribute to environmental pollution.

According to the GTA, reducing plastic waste is essential to protecting Ghana's coastline and creating cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities.

To ensure the long term success of the initiative, the Authority will establish The Blue Ghana Foundation, a dedicated platform that will mobilise financial and material support from individuals, corporate organisations, development partners and philanthropists to sustain beach conservation, environmental education and coastal protection programmes.

The campaign will complement ongoing sanitation efforts by local authorities and disaster management agencies following the recent floods.

The Ghana Tourism Authority plans to work closely with community groups, hospitality establishments, beach resort operators, schools, youth organisations, civil society organisations and volunteers to ensure the success of the campaign.

For Maame Efua Houadjeto, the initiative reflects a broader vision of tourism development that recognises environmental sustainability as a critical pillar of national growth.

"A clean coastline not only enhances the visitor experience but also protects livelihoods, preserves our natural heritage and demonstrates Ghana's commitment to responsible development.

"Our beaches are national treasures, economic lifelines and the face of Ghana to the world. Protecting them is not the responsibility of government alone. It is a shared duty that belongs to every Ghanaian and every institution that calls Ghana home," she said.

The Ghana Tourism Authority said details of the participating beaches and the schedule for the clean up campaign will be announced in the coming weeks.

Through The Blue Ghana Initiative, the Authority is calling on all Ghanaians to join a nationwide movement aimed at preserving one of the country's most important natural assets for future generations.