The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture is pushing for stronger social protection and responsible fishing practices as part of efforts to protect Ghana’s fisheries resources and improve the livelihoods of artisanal fishers.
The Ministry says insurance and pension schemes, improved compliance with fisheries regulations and sustainable fishing practices are critical to building resilience among fishing communities.
The position was emphasised during a stakeholder engagement involving actors from the Central, Western, Greater Accra and Volta Regions to assess the state of small-scale fisheries and identify measures to address challenges confronting the sector.
The engagement, held in Cape Coast with support from Blue Ventures, brought together representatives of the Fisheries Commission, Regional Coordinating Councils, fishing communities and other stakeholders.
Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Emelia Arthur said sustainable management of Ghana’s marine resources would require the active participation of fishing communities whose livelihoods depend directly on the sector.
She urged fishers to take advantage of initiatives designed to improve compliance with fisheries regulations, strengthen social protection and promote responsible fishing.
The Ministry’s Director of Policy, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation, Eric Baah, highlighted insurance and pension schemes as important measures for protecting artisanal fishers and their families against unforeseen circumstances while helping secure their future.
The discussions also focused on the licensing and registration of artisanal canoes.
Officials from the Fisheries Commission explained the importance of canoe licensing and compliance with fisheries laws as part of efforts to improve fisheries management.
Central Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, Emmanuel Dolvo, outlined developments and emerging challenges affecting small-scale fisheries in the Central Region.
The engagement provided an opportunity for representatives from the four coastal regions to share experiences and identify common challenges, as well as solutions tailored to the needs of individual fishing communities.
The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, was represented by the Coordinating Director of the Central Regional Coordinating Council, who conveyed the region’s support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the fisheries sector and improving the welfare of fishing communities.
The Ministry also called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, fishing communities, traditional authorities and development partners to ensure that fisheries resources are sustainably managed.
Emelia Arthur said the government remains committed to protecting Ghana’s marine resources while ensuring that communities dependent on fishing can build more secure and resilient livelihoods.
The Ministry said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve awareness of fisheries policies and regulations, strengthen social protection for artisanal fishers and promote sustainable management of the country’s fisheries resources.
