Turtle Up

New Ningo Prampram is located 45 minutes east of Accra, the capital city. The area is often referred to as an ideal place to visit because of its fresh air, beaches, and resorts. New Ningo Prampram faces numerous challenges. People are living to survive not flourish, and locals are unwillingly accustomed to subsistence living, living one day at a time. Local fishermen now catch less fishes because of illegal fishing and environmental issues. The issue with the construction sector flourishing is that it favors the construction companies and workers but not the farmers, who do not have enough land to farm. The other issue is that the decreasing empty shores prevent the turtles from laying their eggs. In addition, although locals do not harm the turtles, Ghanaians pay little attention to their environment. There are plastic bags and other debris everywhere on the earth and in the ocean which affects the turtle’s health and life and their ability to reach the shore to lay eggs. New Ningo is the home of the largest turtle hatchery in Ghana. The hatchery aims at preserving the sea turtles. Although there is a law in Ghana that protects the turtles, poaching continues to occur, and the lack of awareness on the importance of protecting the environment affects the turtles and their ecosystem which in turn affects the locals’ economy. Turtle Up aims at restoring and sustaining the environment on earth and in the ocean by preserving and conserving Ghana’s sea turtles. Using ecotourism to develop the economy of New Ningo Prampram and the neighboring district, Turtle Up strives to empower community members and the future generations through education, culturally responsive training, job creation, and capacity building.