President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo unveiled the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs programme during a ceremonial event in Nsuaem, Central Region, marking a significant and urgent step towards enhancing Ghana’s agricultural landscape. This timely initiative is set to make a profound impact on the nation’s food security and employment.
The initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable development, food security, and job creation, underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging Ghana’s abundant water resources. President Akufo-Addo highlighted the pivotal role of aquaculture in global food systems, noting its capacity to meet increasing demand amidst dwindling wild fish stocks due to overfishing and environmental pressures.
Ghana, where fish is a dietary staple, faces a substantial gap between domestic production and consumption.
In 2022, the country imported 650,000 tonnes of fish, costing US$311 million, despite producing only 657,000 tonnes locally against a demand of 1.31 million metric tonnes.
The Aquaculture for Food and Jobs (AFJ) programme aims to close this deficit by ramping up local fish production, reducing reliance on imports and safeguarding foreign exchange reserves.
Beyond economic benefits, the initiative is poised to create numerous jobs, mainly targeting youth and women, while enhancing nutrition and public health through improved access to locally sourced fish.
Under AFJ, 10,000 youth will receive training in small-scale fish farming and be supported with essential resources such as tarpaulins, cages, fingerlings, and fish feed to facilitate their entry into the sector.
The programme anticipates generating 50,000 jobs along the aquaculture value chain, encompassing fish feed production, equipment supply, processing, marketing, and distribution.
The government has partnered with R&B Farms Ltd, Ghana’s largest inland fish farm, covering 26 hectares in Gomoa Central, to implement AFJ. President Akufo-Addo urged private investors to capitalize on the expanding fish and related products market, positioning aquaculture as a significant economic driver and a promising avenue for growth.
President Akufo-Addo recognized the critical role of research institutions and universities in advancing aquaculture productivity and sustainability. He emphasized the collaborative efforts driving Ghana’s aquaculture sector forward, fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
He commended the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, for spearheading AFJ and implementing strategic initiatives like the annual closed fishing season.
This season, which prohibits fishing in certain areas for a specific period, aims to conserve fish stocks and promote sustainable aquaculture practices. It is a crucial step towards ensuring the long-term viability of Ghana’s aquaculture sector.
President Akufo-Addo called on all stakeholders to support the AFJ initiative, envisioning a future where Ghana achieves greater food security, economic prosperity, and improved public health through sustainable aquaculture practices.
The launch of Aquaculture for Food and Jobs represents a bold stride towards realizing these ambitions, reflecting Ghana’s commitment to harnessing its natural resources for national development.
