The Chairman of the Fisheries Commission, Prof. Francis Nunoo, has disclosed interventions from the government to foster the growth of the aquaculture industry in Ghana.
According to him, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, has established a dedicated directorate and an aquaculture health unit with monitoring programs.
He made these known on behalf of the sector Minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson during the opening of the Aquaculture Ghana 2023 Conference and Exhibition in Accra.
The conference, under the auspices of the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana, discussed sustainability, biosecurity and fish nutrition, while providing a platform for stakeholders to network and build resilient partnerships.
Among the programmes he mentioned, Prof. Nunoo said the ministry is promoting the culture of tilapia and catfish in Ghana, while exploring the culture of other species to meet the deficit in Ghana’s fish requirements adding that the aquaculture for Food and Jobs program is on course in schools, prisons and other institutions, and the government is also looking for an efficient technology to go into marine culture.
To address the challenges facing the aquaculture sector including the high cost of fish feed, fish diseases, and lack of financing, Prof. Nunoo said the Norwegian government has a capacity-building program in some universities and veterinary clinics.
He used the opportunity to urge fish producers in the value chain to reduce prices, as some types of fish such as tilapia and catfish are too expensive, making it difficult for the ordinary Ghanaian to afford.
Prof. Nunoo also advised operators in the aquaculture industry to connect with the Fisheries Commission for technical help and advice and to collaborate with research institutions to address the challenges facing the industry.
