The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson says she will collaborate with stakeholders in the fisheries sector, development agencies and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to address the various challenges facing Ghana’s fisheries sector.
According to her a collaborative effort is needed to promote Ghana’s fisheries in order to promote food security in the country.
Speaking at an event held by the USAID to highlight the lessons learned throughout the USAID/Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SMFP), Mrs. Hawa Koomson recognized the efforts of those who have helped to redeem the deteriorated marine sector and indicated that the Ministry of Fisheries and Aqua Culture Development will work hard to build on it.
“In achieving the goal of recovering Ghana’s depleted marine fish stocks, particularly the small pelagic fish stocks, I express my appreciation to those who have worked and continue to work towards the recovery of Ghana’s marine fisheries sector” she said.
The Deputy Chief of the US Mission in Ghana, Christopher J. Lamora expressed satisfaction over the feats of the Sustainable Fisheries Management Project and assured Ghana of the US Mission’s willingness to work with the government to implement the lessons learnt in order to build a sustainable fisheries sector in the country.
“Today is an opportunity to for all of us to reflect on the successes that the Sustainable Fisheries Management Programme has had over the past 7 years and the continuining challenges and services and health of the coastal fisheries sector. By working together, the government of Ghana and the government of the United States, International partners, industry academia, civil society and most importantly the communities themselves, that’s the fisherfolks along Ghana’s coast have made significant progress”
“We and the US government and specifically the USAID stand ready to work together with the government of Ghana to implement the lessons of the Sustainable Fisheries Management Programme and other fishing related activities,” he indicated.
The Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP) was a Feed the Future Initiative funded by USAID/Ghana and implemented by the University of Rhode Island, SNV and other local implementing partners.
The project was to help recover Ghana’s depleted marine fish stock.
SOURCE: ROSEMOND ASMAH/ATLFMNEWS
