The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, with support from Blue Ventures, has organised a stakeholder engagement with key actors in the small-scale fisheries sector from the four coastal regions to deliberate on the state of artisanal fisheries, emerging challenges and measures to promote sustainable fisheries management and improve the livelihoods of fishing communities.
The engagement brought together representatives from the Central, Western, Greater Accra and Volta Regions, as well as officials from the Fisheries Commission, Regional Coordinating Councils, artisanal fishing communities and other relevant stakeholders.
The Central Regional Minister, Hon. Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, was represented at the programme by the Coordinating Director of the Central Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), who conveyed the Regional Minister’s support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the fisheries sector and improving the welfare of fishing communities in the region.
Delivering a presentation on the State of Small-Scale Fisheries and Emerging Issues in the Central Region, the Central Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Dolvo, highlighted key developments, challenges and emerging concerns confronting the small-scale fisheries sector.
The presentation provided stakeholders with an opportunity to examine the current state of artisanal fisheries and consider practical measures to address challenges affecting fishers and the sustainability of fisheries resources.
A presentation by the Fisheries Commission on the licensing of artisanal canoes also formed part of the programme. Participants were taken through the importance of canoe licensing, registration and compliance with fisheries laws and regulations as essential components of effective fisheries management.
The engagement further focused on strengthening the social and economic security of artisanal fishers. Mr. Eric Baah, Director of Policy, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPBME), delivered a presentation on insurance and pension schemes for artisanal fishers, explaining the importance of social protection mechanisms in safeguarding fishers and their families against unforeseen circumstances and securing their future.
The participation of representatives from all four coastal regions provided an important platform for sharing experiences, identifying common challenges and exploring region-specific solutions to issues affecting small-scale fisheries.
The discussions also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, fishing communities, traditional authorities, development partners and other stakeholders to ensure that fisheries resources are managed sustainably while creating an enabling environment for fishing communities to thrive.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s fisheries resources while improving the livelihoods and resilience of people who depend on the sector.
The Minister stressed that sustainable fisheries management requires the active participation and cooperation of stakeholders, particularly fishing communities, whose livelihoods are directly linked to the health and productivity of Ghana’s marine resources.
She encouraged participants to take advantage of initiatives aimed at improving compliance, strengthening social protection and promoting responsible fishing practices, noting that the future of the fisheries sector depends on collective responsibility and sustained stakeholder engagement.
Hon. Emelia Arthur also expressed appreciation to Blue Ventures for supporting the engagement and commended stakeholders from the four coastal regions for their participation and contributions towards strengthening the small-scale fisheries subsector.
The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to deepen stakeholder consultation, improve awareness of fisheries policies and regulations, strengthen social protection for artisanal fishers and promote sustainable management of Ghana’s fisheries resources.
Through continued collaboration and dialogue, the Ministry remains committed to building a resilient and sustainable fisheries sector that protects Ghana’s marine resources while securing the livelihoods of present and future generations of fishers.
