Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS) continues to lead the charge in environmental and social sustainability with a robust commitment to sea turtle conservation and coastal biodiversity. Through impactful sensitization programs, MPS is educating schools and communities in the Ningo-Prampram District on the importance of protecting these vital marine species during their nesting season, which runs from October to March.

As part of the Tema Port Expansion Project, MPS developed a comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) to protect sea turtles in Prampram, New Ningo, and Old Ningo. This plan includes continuous beach monitoring, habitat restoration, and community education initiatives. A cornerstone of the BAP is the establishment and operation of the MPS Sea Turtle Conservation hatchery in Ningo, which has significantly contributed to marine ecosystem restoration. Since its launch in 2018, the initiative has successfully incubated and released over 90,000 hatchlings into the ocean, with more than 48,000 originating from the Prampram-Ningo hatchery alone.

In 2024, MPS launched another series of advocacy programs, starting with school sensitization sessions in New Ningo. These sessions, involving 300 students and teachers from Good Shepherd Methodist School, His Will Academy, and New Ningo D/A Basic A, emphasized the critical role sea turtles play in maintaining healthy oceans. Participants learned how sea turtles support ecotourism, enhance fish populations by feeding on jellyfish, and serve as indicators of a thriving marine environment. Students were encouraged to support conservation by keeping beaches clean and reporting harmful activities.

Community engagement was another key focus, with awareness sessions held in New Ningo attracting 106 participants, including fishermen, traders, and security personnel. These sessions highlighted the shared responsibility of protecting sea turtles and preserving the marine environment for future generations.

MPS’s awareness programs which are expected to be climaxed in December 2024 have been valuable, culminating a year of impactful initiatives such as beach patrols, hatchery operations, and the distribution of dustbins. These efforts have inspired communities to pledge their support by refraining from harmful practices such as poaching, discarding waste on beaches, and collecting turtle eggs.

MPS’s firm commitment to environmental sustainability reveal its dedication to creating lasting benefits for its communities and ensuring the preservation of coastal biodiversity. Through such initiatives, MPS exemplifies the role of responsible corporate stewardship in building a sustainable future.