“Ghana’s Fisheries Minister Calls for Increased Investment in Aquaculture to Boost Domestic Fish Production”

The Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Emelia Arthur, has emphasized the importance of aquaculture in augmenting domestic fish production, reducing fish imports, and creating job opportunities in Ghana. According to the Minister, Ghana’s annual fish requirements exceed 1 million metric tons, yet domestic production is only possible to meet a fraction of this demand.

The Minister highlighted that Ghana’s dependence on fish imports has a negative impact on the national trade balance and exposes households, especially the vulnerable, to food and nutrition insecurity. The country’s annual fish imports average 185,376.60 metric tons, valued at $2.6 million.

The Minister noted that aquaculture has emerged as a promising solution to augment domestic fish production and reduce fish imports. Over the past decade, aquaculture production has increased exponentially from 10,200 metric tons in 2010 to 121,809 metric tons in 2024, driven largely by tilapia and catfish farming.

The Minister announced a national call to action to dedicate one day each week to consuming locally farmed tilapia and catfish. The campaign, dubbed “Tilapia and Catfish Friday,” aims to increase domestic fish production, reduce dependence on fish imports, and create sustainable jobs, especially for women and youth.

The Minister highlighted the challenges in the value chain, including the high prices of locally farmed fish. She noted that while farmers sell tilapia at 38 Ghana cedis per kilo, the final consumer buys it at 100 or 180 Ghana cedis per kilo. The Minister pledged to look into this issue and work towards making locally farmed fish more affordable and accessible to consumers.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of value addition in the aquaculture industry. She commended efforts already being made to promote products such as fish sausages, fish crackers, and fish powder.

The Minister’s call for increased investment in aquaculture is a step in the right direction towards boosting domestic fish production and reducing dependence on imports. With the right policies and investments, Ghana’s aquaculture industry has the potential to contribute significantly to the country’s food security and economic development.