The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture (MOFA), Emelia Arthur has officially commenced her duties with a clear vision for the sustainable growth of Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Her tenure begun on Monday, January 27, 2025 and was marked by meetings with key stakeholders, including management teams of the Ministry, the Fisheries Commission and the Premix Fuel Secretariat, where she shared her visions and expectations.
At the heart of her vision is the Blue Economy Initiative, an ambitious plan to leverage Ghana’s marine and freshwater resources for sustainable economic growth.
The initiative aims to sustainably manage and conserve the living and natural resources of the ocean, while harnessing its potential and benefits for all citizens.
During a meeting with Mr. Fred Kwasi Antwi-Boadu, Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission and the Senior Management of the Commission, the commission’s core functions were discussed.
The Discussions highlighted efforts to enforce the registration of fishing vessels, regulate the trawl sub-sector to reduce juvenile fish harvest and introduce safety standards for canoe construction.
Others include monitoring illegal fishing practices using an Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) and establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to preserve biodiversity.
The minister was also briefed on the challenges facing the Fisheries Commission, including overfishing, illegal practices (such as light fishing and dynamite use), inadequate funding, and data collection difficulties.
She outlined strategies to address these concerns and pledged her support for the sector’s growth through stakeholder empowerment and teamwork.
The Minister also received an overview of the sector’s 2023 performance, noting a total fish production of 684,114.87 metric tons, comprised of 425,423.91 metric tons from marine fisheries, 142,583.13 metric tons from inland fisheries, and 116,107.83 metric tons from aquaculture.
During meetings with the Premix Fuel Secretariat and other members of the Secretariat, the Minister emphasized her commitment to collaboration, innovation and teamwork. She encouraged the team to focus on delivering sustainable results that benefit future generations.
“Together, we can strengthen Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, making it more sustainable and impactful,” Hon. Arthur stated. “With collaboration, dedication, and innovation, we will ensure food security and a prosperous future for all.”
According to the ministry, the newly appointed minister “brings to the role a wealth of experience as a development specialist with expertise in local governance, natural resource management and gender inclusion.”
“With her wealth of experience, strategic vision, and passion for inclusive development, Hon. Emelia Arthur’s leadership promises to usher in a new era for Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.”
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