Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
Ph.D (Maritime Affairs)
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Ghana
Abstract
In the maritime industry, a significant number of emerging and complex challenges occurring, has engaged limited attention and tenuous governance structures that can hardly deal with such complexities. Hence, the need for practitioners to seek innovative planning approaches for addressing such complexities, particularly the cumulative impacts on the marine environment. Such swelling effect, cannot be overemphasized in the Gulf of Guinea marine region which lies between Cape Lopez in Gabon and Cape Palmas in Liberia. This region, has a long history of conflicting marine uses and unresolved disputes. Prior to 2020, three adjacent nations in this region have engaged in a host of sovereign disputes and domestic conflicts as chronicled in Chapter One. Pressing challenges of this nature, necessitated an extensive interrogation of contemporary literature to help conceptualize and develop an overarching transboundary geospatial framework, capable of addressing such long-standing hurdles in the region. The proposed framework which was developed in light of the research analysis and empirical lessons, sought to address spatial development challenges pertaining to stakeholder engagement, joint agreements, political and legal support, financial, investment and fund management, planning complexities, data acquisition and plan implementation. Essentially, this analytical framework is postulated to maximize regional cooperation and promote peaceful co-existence, enhance coordination and prevent future overlapping entitlements, and protect and develop the environment to accelerate blue economic growth in the GoG marine region