The Executive of the Ghana National Aquaculture Association met with the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development at her Conference Room on Tuesday, April 22. The members of the Executive present were Francis de Heer, President, Mabel Quarshie, Vice-President, Doris Yeboah, Secretary, Chistabel Mintah, Treasurer and David Adaboo, National Organizer. On the Minister’s team were senior officials of the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission. The President briefed the Minister about recent developments in the industry. He said that aquaculture has been assigned a major role, under the Ghana National Aquaculture Development Plan, to produce substantial amounts of fish to help close the gap between supply and demand. He said that aquaculture has the capacity to create many jobs and improve livelihoods, especially in the rural areas where they are most needed.
He also said that aquaculture is a profitable engagement, and quite a number of young people in the urban areas were entering the industry. He said that aquaculture is now not just an issue of pond or cage farming, but a value chain involving several engagements. He mentioned the processing sector as an exciting part of the industry that is showing great potential to add value to tilapia and catfish, for the local and foreign markets.
He said however, that the industry faced challenges which need to be addressed in order that it can function effectively. He mentioned the high cost of feed, challenges with marketing and lack of skills among farmers. He invited the Minister to open the forthcoming Training Course for Fish Farmers, which will be run for farmers in the Gbawe-Weija Municipality, which will be run in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Water Resources Commission and the FAO National Anti Microbial Resistance Office. He requested the support of the Ministry to take this programme across the Regions and Districts, to equip farmers with the skills which will enable them to run profitable ventures and make substantial contributions to national output.
The Minister expressed the determination of President John Mahama to support aquaculture production to increase production to meet national requirements. She mentioned the National Feed Programme which would soon ensure the production of enough maize and soya for the livestock sector. She emphasized her determination to ensure that all units related to her Ministry worked together to maximize results.
During the Meeting