Wildlife and Human Resources Organisation (WHRO Ghana)
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: Ghana
Organization / Project Name: Ghana Turtle Conservation Project
Website: https://www.whroghana.org/
Email: info@whroghana.org
Description: Ghana’s 550 km coastline provides critical nesting and foraging habitats for five marine turtle species, including the critically endangered hawksbill. However, turtles face multiple threats, largely from human activities. Key challenges include fisheries bycatch, illegal harvesting of nesting females and eggs, predation by domestic animals, habitat degradation from plastic pollution and erosion, commercial sand mining, and poorly regulated ecotourism. Increasing pressure on coastal resources continues to exacerbate these threats. The Ghana Turtle Conservation Project, led by the Wildlife and Human Resources Organisation (WHRO Ghana), is the country’s leading long-term turtle monitoring initiative. Since 2006, the project has overseen conservation efforts across eight nesting beaches covering over 30 km within all four coastal regions. Through partnerships with stakeholders, WHRO works to mitigate turtle mortality and protect critical habitats. Its conservation strategies include nightly patrols to safeguard nesting females and hatchlings, community and school awareness campaigns, and habitat improvement through beach cleaning and plastic reduction. The project also implements bycatch reduction programmes, research and training, and capacity-building initiatives. Livelihood support, youth empowerment, and volunteer programmes further strengthen local engagement, while policy support and advocacy ensure long-term sustainability. Together, these interventions aim to secure the survival of Ghana’s sea turtles. WHRO has since 2018 organised the Ghana National Sea Turtle Conference which brings together all sea turtle projects in Ghana, academia, researchers, media, and policy makers to make crucial decision towards protecting sea turtles in Ghana.
Species of focus: Olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea), Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Volunteer program: Yes
Tourist activities (Y/N): Yes
Primary Areas of Work: Pollution mitigation, Fisheries bycatch reduction / management, Beach protection, Genetic sampling, Satellite telemetry, In water research, Environmental education/community outreach, Community development, Policy, Nesting beach monitoring
Facebook Profile: WHRO Ghana
Instagram Profile: Whroghana
Twitter Profile: WHROGHANA