President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has unveiled the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs programme at a ground-breaking event in Nsuaem in the Central Region.
The initiative is testament to the government’s commitment to sustainable development, food security and job creation.
It marks a big milestone in the nation’s agricultural progress, and aims to harness Ghana’s abundant water resources to provide sustainable livelihoods and enhance nutritional standards.
Emphasising the immense potential of aquaculture at the launch in Nsuaem on Tuesday (30 July 2024), President Akufo-Addo said the sector is a critical component of the global food system.
Aquaculture currently provides nearly half of the world’s fish supply, a figure that continues to grow as wild fish stocks diminish because of pressure from overfishing and environmental change.
Bridging the fish gap
In Ghana, fish is a dietary staple, contributing significantly to the country’s nutrition and food culture. However, the domestic supply falls far short of demand, resulting in substantial imports that put a strain on the national foreign exchange reserves.
In 2022, Ghana’s fish requirement stood at 1.31 million metric tonnes but domestic production was only 657,000 tonnes. The shortfall made it necessary to import 650,000 tonnes of fish, at a cost of US$311 million.
Aquaculture for Food and Jobs (AFJ) aims to bridge the gap by boosting local fish production, thereby reducing dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange and ensuring the availability of fresh, domestically produced fish.
The impact of the programme extends beyond increasing fish production. It is poised to transform lives by creating thousands of jobs, particularly for women and the youth.
The initiative will provide training and support to aspiring fish farmers, equipping them with the skills and resources they need to succeed.
It will also create the necessary conditions for a network of fish farms across the country, enhancing Ghana’s capacity to meet the growing demand for fish and stimulating the development of related industries such as fish feed production, fish processing and marketing.
By making fish more accessible and affordable, the programme will combat malnutrition and improve public health. Fish is a rich source of essential nutrients, and increasing its availability will contribute significantly to Ghana’s nutritional standards. As such, the initiative is not only an economic driver but also a vital component in the fight against malnutrition.
The programme is being launched in partnership with R&B Farms Ltd, the largest inland fish farm in Ghana, which operates on 26 hectares of land in Gomoa Central.
The government aims to train 10,000 youth in small-scale fish farming under AFJ. The ripple effect from the programme is expected to generate an additional 50,000 jobs along the aquaculture value chain, encompassing fish feed production, equipment supply, fish processing, marketing and distribution.
President Akufo-Addo called on private investors to seize the opportunities presented by this programme and highlighted the substantial market for fish and fish products.
With the right investment, aquaculture can be transformed into a major driver of the Ghanaian economy. Research institutions and universities will play a crucial role in providing the knowledge and technological innovation needed to enhance productivity and sustainability.
Acknowledging the work done by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, President Akufo-Addo praised her dedication and hands-on approach.
Koomson’s leadership has been instrumental in developing the project and in implementing decisive initiatives such as the annual closed fishing season, which has restored fish stocks and promoted aquaculture as an area of viable economic activity.
Besides training and skills development under the AFJ programme, the government will provide youth recruits with tarpaulins, cages, fingerlings and fish feed as start-up capital to enable them to launch profitable fish farming businesses within six months.
The launch of Aquaculture for Food and Jobs is a bold step towards a brighter future for Ghanaian youth and women. It will help meet fish consumption needs, reduce Ghana’s import dependency and create meaningful employment.
President Akufo-Addo extended his gratitude to all partners, stakeholders and dedicated teams working to make the programme a reality. He also emphasised the importance of collaboration in revolutionising aquaculture in Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo called on all Ghanaians to support the AFJ initiative, arguing that it promises to build a stronger, healthier and more prosperous nation.
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