Friday, 21st November, 2025
Hon Godfred Seidu Jasaw
Wa East
Mr Speaker, this is a Statement on World Fisheries Day, which is marked today.
Mr Speaker, I rise with a deep sense of humility and a sense of duty as well to speak on the occasion of World Fisheries Day 2025, under the theme, “Resetting Fisheries: Chief Fishermen and Fishmongers as Guardians and Partners in Sustainable Fisheries Management”. This theme is a call to action, a call to reflection, a call to reimagine the future of our fisheries. It is not just as a sector in crisis, but as a pillar of prosperity, culture and ecological balance. The day was established in 1998 with the intention of paying tribute to fishers who, through their profession and service, provide valuable contributions to the development of our society.
Mr Speaker, Ghana’s fisheries sector is at crossroads. For decades, our coastal and inland waters have nourished our people, sustained livelihoods and anchored our cultural identity. Today, however, we face a stark reality of decline in fish stocks due to overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, degraded marine ecosystems from pollution of mangroves and other ecosystem-related structures. Economic vulnerability among artisanal fishers and fishmongers, especially the women who form the backbone of our post-harvest fisheries activities.
Mr Speaker, if we do not act decisively, we risk not only the collapse of a vital industry, but the erosion of a way of life. Mr Speaker, Ghana is in a reset phase. In the fisheries sector, “reset” is a call to recalibration of our relationship with our oceans, from one of declining hope and landings to one of stewardship. It means rebuilding fish stocks through sciencebased management, investing in value addition, cold storage and market access.
Mr Speaker, in every coastal and riparian community, the chief fisherman or headman is more than a leader. He is a living institution. He regulates access to fishing grounds, mediates in disputes, enforces taboos and preserves indigenous knowledge. Yet, in recent years, the authority of the chief fisherman has been eroded by weak integration into formal governance structures, encroachment by industry trawlers and foreign vessels, and the lack of legal recognition and logistical support. Mr Speaker, it is time to restore and retool the role of the chief fisherman. Let us codify their roles in fisheries legislation, for they are not relics of the past but vanguards of the future.
Mr Speaker, let us now turn to fishmongers, predominantly women, who process, transport and sell the fish to feed our nation. They are entrepreneurs who sustain our local economies. However, they face limited access to low-cost financing credits, exposure to post-harvest losses, due to a lack of cold chains as well as ready markets. Mr Speaker, to reset fisheries, we must elevate fishmongers from the margins to the mainstream. This could be achieved by establishing and supporting cooperatives and revolving funds tailored to their needs.
Mr Speaker, I see a deep connection with the envisaged Women’s Bank, and I hope that policymakers will take this up and do the right linkages. Mr Speaker, when we empower fishmongers, we empower families, markets and the nation at large. Mr Speaker, resetting our fisheries requires more than rhetoric. It demands bold policy shifts and institutional reforms. We have a new law, Act 1146. This emphasises aquaculture as well to supplement the reducing stocks from our oceans. We should operationalise it along the following:
First, promote household aquaculture farms whose operations can be codified and recognises traditional authorities, gender roles and local knowledge.
Second, expand canoe identification monitoring systems so that we do not have overstocking of our waters with so many canoes.
Third, support for establishment of more marine protected areas that can be co-managed by communities and chief fishermen. Fourth, we should consider integrating climate resilience practices to restore our ecosystems in the fisheries and the oceans. Last, we should also deliberately promote public-private partnerships to develop fish landing sites, cold storage and value chains.
Mr Speaker, Ghana is being watched. Our actions can inspire other coastal nations. Let us lead by example by honouring our traditional leaders not just in ceremonies but in strategy and in action. Let us listen, let us act, let us reset. Let this World Fisheries Day be remembered not just as a commemoration, but as a turning point. We should consider adapting an integrated multi-sectoral policy framework along these lines.
Let us deliberately strengthen coordination between national and regional agencies. Let us invest in data systems for evidence-based oversight. Let us ensure broader stakeholder inclusion in our policy processes. Let us reset. Let us rebuild. Let us transform our fishery for transformation.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon Isaac Ashai Odamtten
Tema East
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I commend the maker of the Statement.
This commemorative Statement has come in time to awaken consciousness for our preparedness towards improving a very important sector of our economy, which is fisheries. For us coastal MPs, we recognise the importance of the fisheries sector in our Ghanaian economy and in our local economic interplay.
Many of our people have now bought into the new policy arrangement that seeks to not look at fisheries as an occupation, but one that would look at fisheries as a resource that needs to be attended to for its sustainability, continual support for livelihoods, and the opportunities that we can have today. Both inland and ocean fisheries have contributed significantly to our Ghanaian economy. The maker of the Statement highlighted the need for resetting.
Mr Speaker, I would want to re-echo that section of the Statement. He makes the point that it is indeed time to reset, and the reset is one that requires us to ensure that we move from a declining hope and landings to one of stewardship. So, it is not just a matter of investing in equipment to go fishing, but it is a matter of doing it sustainably. That is why, even in the face of difficulties for our local fishermen, we have brought to the fore the need for proper fishing gears that would not offend the ecosystem of our ocean and our water bodies.
We have also encouraged our local stakeholders in the fishery sector to appreciate science in modern fisheries. Of course, our traditional leaders and our forebears used traditional means, such as not going fishing on specific days of the week to improve fish stocks. But it has become abundantly clear that that is not enough. So, we have to marry science, which is empirical, with research that helps us to sustain the fish resources.
Mr Speaker, today being National Fisheries Day, we have to commend the Ministry and the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture for highlighting the celebration of the sector. In a very grandiose programme today, we had the reaffirmation of H. E. John Dramani Mahama’s support for the sector and the hope that the fishing communities, especially the inland fishing communities and the coastal constituencies have in the reset agenda.
As has been espoused in the debates in previous days, we know the right investments are being made in the agriculture and fishery sector. The aquaculture aspect of our fisheries would also help us to deepen the sustainability of the fish resources of this country.
With these few words, Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh
Nsawam/Adoagyiri
Mr Speaker, permit me to commend my very good Friend for bringing this matter up.
Oftentimes, we tend to relegate issues concerning the fishing sector to the back burner. I am happy we have our Majority Chief Whip as the chair of the National Premix Fuel Committee, so I know he is going to push in a lot of discipline and sanitise the sector.
But I am particularly happy about the angle of we bringing fishmongers into the governance structure of our country. That, for me, is a crux of the call of Dr Jasaw. It is the area that has eluded us for a very long time. Concerns about inland fishing. I think there are some subtle attempts at fingerlings being given out to women folks and a number of people to help in the group and the rearing of fish. It is good, but the culture has still not caught up well enough. So, there is a lot the Committee Chairman has to do.
I am sure this House will be very excited to join forces with him, so that he can leave a very good legacy. Concerns about illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing has come up strongly. I recall there was an international instrument we had to ratify which speaks to these concerns, and then eventually the passage of the Bill. The knowledge and awareness about the importance of mangrove still stands in suspense. Many of us do not even know.
In times past when we were growing up in the village, when we saw a mangrove, we were told that it is a place where spirits reside, so we were not supposed to go there. We failed to communicate the scientific importance of mangrove to the environment, community, and especially in rearing of fish. It is a matter that I think the Ministry may have to take up, most importantly. But in all these, what stands as a yawning concern is sustainable fishing. I am happy the Deputy Minister is here. It cannot be business as usual. So, when we fish as usual, the fishing stock will deplete, and our protein concerns and needs will become a challenge. What do we do?
In times past, there have been various interventions where fisherfolks have been stopped from going to the sea for a certain period of time. Has it all really helped ultimately in helping build stock and the development of the fishing industry? These are concerns that we need to look at. Then again, nature-based solutions.
Mr Speaker today, the narrative on sustainability, nature-based solutions feed to the core of it, and these naturebased solutions are unique to various regions of the world. Africa has its own nature-based solution, Europe then Latin America. What is it that pertains to Africa? For me, that is where I think we should revolve around and help build these matters. We have heard about premix coming up every now and then as a concern. I hope we will be able to proffer some solutions to give some respite to our fisherfolks.
I recall the previous government built a number of—automated stations and a number of fishing harbours. But still, our fisherfolks are not happy enough, and this is not politics. There would be another day when we are considering the Estimates, we would have an opportunity to put matters in context. There is something missing with our fisherfolk because if we go to the coastal areas, the poverty level among other things.
Hon Minister, you are here so we should think aloud on this commemorative day on what we can do to help in the alleviation of poverty in this part of our country. But be it a commemorative day, maybe some lessons should be drawn. Going forward, we should not be repeating the same concern. It should be an opportunity for us to relapse and take stock of what we have done as a country and move forward. I particularly want to charge my good Friend, the Chief Whip, that he should leave some good legacies. I know how committed he is and when he is committed to doing something, he gets it done. He can count on me. Even though I will not serve on the Board, I will be behind and give him all the moral support.
Mr Speaker, thank you. Just to end on a note of appeal. Mr Speaker, I know you are tired. But you are the only one who can do this for us. Hon Vincent had also submitted a Statement. It is rightly captured here.
Mr Speaker, if it pleases you, it is a Statement on boxing, may you do us the honour and the favour so that when we are done with commentaries on this, he could be granted to read his Statement as well. Thank you.
Hon Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor
South Dayi
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to add my voice by way of commentary on the Statement ably presented by the Chairman for the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs to commemorate today as World Fisheries Day.
Mr Speaker, as a nation endowed with some of the most notable rivers in the world, about a third of our population survive on these water bodies and the ocean. Primarily, the activities will centre around fishing and water-related activities like farming along the banks of the rivers, as well as aquaculture practices.
Mr Speaker, some 27 years ago, the world saw it fit in 1998 to set this day aside to celebrate people involved in fishing and aquaculture industry. There are some countries like the Scandinavia and Northern Region of Canada whose economies rely on fishing. So, fishing is big and it is so in Ghana. When we speak of the fishing in the inland along the major water bodies like the Volta Lake, we have over 3 million of our people involved in fishing and aquaculturerelated activities. So, for me, regarding the policies we are initiating to fight the galamsey menace, I think that if we promote aquaculture, that is, fish farming, it will be the solution to the galamsey activities.
Mr Speaker, here is why. If we manufacture a cage 12 by 12 feet and it is populated with 5,000 fingerlings of tilapia, we can harvest in eight weeks, depending on the demand of the market. A kilo of tilapia of four, five inches or six inches is about GH₵50. When you harvest a tilapia 12 by 12 feet, that is about three tonnes. So, the revenue potential of encouraging people to go into fish farming, that is artificial breeding of fish on the freshwater bodies, especially on the Volta Lake, is so huge. It is capable of attracting the youth from engaging in this activity of degrading the environment to look for some gold that we cannot find and it is clean. The practices and the protocols are such that it is clean.
Mr Speaker this is because, you see, the Volta Lake is not stagnant, it flows into the sea. So, even though the lake looks huge, it is flowing imperceptibly but it flows into the sea. So freshwater is always coming from the three major tributaries. It is something we need to look at and from where I sit, we have been discussing that with the Chairman of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, as well as the Minister for Food and Agriculture. We have to roll it out deliberately and look at some grants to be able to attract the young people and I am sure that many MPs can also champion this. We have 54 constituencies along the Volta Lake throughout the country and I have started in South Dayi.
Mr Speaker, it may interest you to know that some deliberate policies have also been introduced in the distribution of pre-mix fuel to our farmers, both inland and marine, especially to check the maintenance of diversion. Diversion simply means that the fuel would not get to the community or the people to which it is meant for purposes of their fishing activities or for transportation. By seeking to brand vehicles that will transport the fuel, so that when you see a fuel tanker on the road, you know that this fuel is transporting pre-mix. So, when it is seen in an area where it is not supposed to be, it can be checked. Also, the committees have been revived. Some audits are ongoing. So far, as a committee, we are working effectively. There is no issue about diversion and all that. We also want to encourage the people who are helping the farmers and fishermen to let their businesses to continue to assist them.
Mr Speaker, today, there is a major conference that just ended at the Accra International Conference Centre. It was under the theme, “Resetting Fisheries, Chief Fishermen and Fishmongers as Guardians and Partners in Sustainable Fisheries Management”. Like the Hon Minority Chief Whip, who indicated, the women folk play a major role—so, when the catch is brought home and it is treated, smoked, preserved, either by freezing it or salting it becomes the duty of the women folk to now take it to the markets or bring it home for consumption. So, their role in the food chain is so important. How are we assisting them? We need to generate a viable industry out of that practise so that they do not look outsourced so they can be promoted to be able to do this.
Mr Speaker, we thank the maker of the Statement for bringing this matter to the attention of the Floor so that we can commemorate this day every year. We also believe that encouraging the young people not to see fishing activities as a backward activity, as an activity abandoned for the downtrodden or people who have no future. This is because in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Canada, among others some of the millionaires or billionaires are actually fishermen who are into serious fish farming on land.
Mr Speaker, with these words, I thank the maker of the Statement and we wish our fishermen, fisherfolk and women who are fishmongers the best of the day.
Mr Speaker, some request has been related to you. So, we are entirely in your hands in this matter. Thank you.
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