In a momentous event in Nsuaem, the Central Region, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo introduced the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme.
This initiative underscores the government’s dedication to sustainable development, food security, and employment creation. It signifies a significant stride in Ghana’s agricultural sector, aiming to leverage the country’s abundant water resources to provide sustainable livelihoods and enhance nutritional standards.
Aquaculture, as highlighted by President Akufo-Addo, holds great promise as a vital component of the global food system. With wild fish stocks facing depletion due to overfishing and environmental factors, aquaculture now supplies nearly half of the world’s fish. In Ghana, where fish is a dietary staple, the domestic supply falls short of demand, leading to substantial imports that strain foreign exchange reserves.
In 2022, Ghana’s fish requirement reached 1.31 million metric tonnes, surpassing domestic production at 657,000 tonnes. This deficit necessitated the importation of 650,000 tonnes of fish, costing the country $311 million. The Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme aims to close this disparity by bolstering local fish production, reducing reliance on imports, conserving foreign exchange, and ensuring the availability of fresh, locally-sourced fish.
Beyond increasing fish production, the programme is poised to transform lives by generating thousands of jobs, particularly for youth and women. It will offer training and support to aspiring fish farmers, equipping them with the necessary skills and resources for success. Additionally, the initiative will establish a network of fish farms across the country, bolstering Ghana’s capacity to meet the growing fish demand and stimulating the development of allied industries such as fish feed production, processing, and marketing.
By enhancing fish accessibility and affordability, the programme aims to combat malnutrition and enhance public health. Fish is a rich source of essential nutrients, and greater availability will significantly improve nutritional standards in the country. This initiative serves as both an economic catalyst and a crucial tool in the battle against malnutrition.
The government is partnering with R&B Farms Ltd., Ghana’s largest inland fish farm, situated on 26 hectares of land in Gomoa Central, to implement this project. Through this collaboration, the government intends to train 10,000 youth in small-scale fish farming, with a projected creation of 50,000 additional jobs along the aquaculture value chain, including fish feed production, equipment supply, fish processing, marketing, and distribution.
President Akufo-Addo urged private investors to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the programme, citing the substantial market for fish and fish products. With strategic investments, the aquaculture sector can evolve into a major economic driver. Research institutions and universities will play a pivotal role in delivering the requisite knowledge and technological innovations to boost productivity and sustainability.
Commending the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, President Akufo-Addo lauded her dedication and hands-on approach in spearheading this project. Her leadership has been instrumental in launching decisive initiatives like the annual fishing close season, which has rejuvenated fish stocks and promoted aquaculture as a viable economic sector.
Through the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme, the government will provide youth with training and skills development in fish farming, offering them tarpaulin cages, fingerlings, and fish feed as seed capital to kickstart profitable fish farming ventures within six months.
The launch of this programme signifies a resilient move toward a brighter future for Ghanaian youth and women. It aims to meet fish consumption needs, reduce import dependencies, and create meaningful employment opportunities. President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to all partners, stakeholders, and dedicated teams working to actualize this project, underscoring the significance of collaboration in revolutionizing aquaculture in Ghana.
As the programme officially commenced, President Akufo-Addo called on all Ghanaians to rally behind this initiative, which promises to fortify a more robust, healthier, and prosperous nation. “May God bless us all, and our homeland Ghana, and make her great and strong,” he concluded, ushering in a new era in Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
