Accra, Oct 7, GNA - Ghanaians have been called upon to develop positive attitudes toward the protection and management of the coastal zone and marine resources in the country.

This would help to maintain the integrity of the resources in the coastal zone as well as the enormous opportunities they offered to the policy makers and other stakeholders. The call was made at an Inter-Faculty Lecture organised by the University of Ghana, Legon.

Speaking on: "Managing the Coastal Zone and Marine Resources of Ghana" on Wednesday, a Senior Lecture at the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, Mr A.K. Armah said, although there were enormous opportunities, which could be harnessed for national development, the coastal zone of Ghana and its resources were plagued by a multiplicity of environmental and socio-economic problems. Mr Armah indicated that the key obstacles militating against prudent management of the resources and developmental opportunities as over-exploitation; habitat degradation; pollution; poor enforcement of law; ad-hoc approach to solving problems identified; increasing population and poor sanitation.

He said several attempts had been made by both local and international organisations to ensure the proper use of the country's coastal environment and its resources.

Mr Armah also said that the birth of Ghana's Environmental Action Plan was a litmus test aimed at improving the management of the resources in the coastal zone.

He, however, called on the Government of Ghana to establish as matter of urgency a cross-inter-ministerial body to be solely responsible for the entire development and resource management of Ghana's coastal zones and its marine resources.