The Tilapia and Catfish Festival came off at the Food Research Institute at Shiashie in Accra on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th July. It was, to say the least, quite a memorable event.
The Stakeholders Session was the first activity. It started with a welcome address by Proof Charles Torto, Director of the Food Research Institute, which was followed by a Speech from the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, which was read on her behalf by Ms. Rosemary Abbey. Her address was followed by the Keynote Presentation by Prof. Enoch Anokye Frimpong, Professor in Fish Ecology at Virginia Technical University in the US and Director of Cart4D Consulting, on the topic ‘The State of Fish Farming in Ghana Revisited After the Last FAO Review’.
Prof Frimpong’s presentation was followed by presentations from Dr Amy Atterh of the FRI, Dr. Francis Anani of the CSIR Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, Mr. Hanson Dzamefe, Bono Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, and Mr. Seyram Amanie-Adjei, Trainer at Agritop Ltd. All presentations were very actively discussed, and the Executive of the Association have expressed great satisfaction with them. Interactions with key agencies have already began towards putting into practice some of the suggestions made at the Session.
Vendors at the Festival expressed satisfaction with the turnout. Dorothy Mensah, who presented grilled tilapia with banku and fried yam said ‘there we no big crowds, yet all the food we presented were sold. I enjoyed the atmosphere, especially the DJ and our interactions with other vendors. We will certainly be here next year. Mrs. Abigail Ferguson of Nsunam Products, said ‘it has been a satisfying and profitable experience. I suggest that the organisers put more effort into making it bigger next year’.
Quite a number of feed companies, including Raanan, Coppens and Deheuss, actively engaged with visitors to their stands.
Officials of the Fisheries Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ghana Standards Authority and the Fisheries Resources Commission were on hand to share information with farmers on issues relating to the regulatory aspects of aquaculture.
Here are images from that unforgettable event
