In a move to strengthen Ghana’s seafood farming industry, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana (COA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at transforming farmed fish production towards sustainability, traceability, and global market alignment.
 
This partnership brings together global expertise and local leadership to drive improvements across environmental, social, and operational practices in Ghana’s rapidly expanding fish farming sector.

At the heart of the collaboration is the Improver Programme by ASC which is a hands-on, step-by-step approach helping local fish farms to raise the bar on responsible farming. 

The Improver Programme by ASC is designed to support farms that are not yet ready for certification, but committed to improving aquaculture performance. 

Through the Improver Programme, ASC and the Chamber of Aquaculture aim to develop a local Code of Good Practices (CoGP), which builds on the science and multistakeholder dialogues of the ASC Farm Standard, but is tailored to the local context of fish farming in Ghana.

ASC Improver Programme head Roy van Daatselaar said, “This partnership is a game-changer for Ghana’s seafood farming future. We’re proud to work alongside the Chamber of Aquaculture to help farmers improve practices through the development of the CoGP, strengthen market opportunities, and build a future towards Ghana’s sustainable development.”

Chief Executive of the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana Jacob Adzikah, said, “The Aquaculture Improvement Project under the Improver Programme by ASC will reshape the aquaculture scene in Ghana by allowing businesses to reach international markets that seek certified farmed fish, while also drawing in new investment to the country’s aquaculture industry”.

“The project is a step-by-step initiative that would help farms improve their practices in areas like sustainability, food safety, and social responsibility, with the ultimate goal of achieving ASC certification and meeting global standards.”

The AIP and CoGP will improve traceability systems, allowing consumers and businesses to better understand the origin and production methods of aquaculture products in Ghana. 

ASC Improver Programme head Roy van Daatselaar added that, “Through this partnership, the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana and the ASC will position Ghana as a regional leader in the Blue Foods space. By developing a locally owned CoGP aligned with international standards, we can empower the sector with the tools and knowledge to improve socially and environmentally responsible operations, and prepare the industry to meet growing global demand for responsibly sourced seafood.”

“This MoU sets the foundation for collaboration, mutual support, and shared vision in strengthening Ghana’s aquaculture ecosystem, while contributing to broader global goals around food security, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihoods,” he mentioned.
 
The partnership will also prepare sector stakeholders for potential future certification which can improve access to international markets where consumers demand certified, sustainably produced aquaculture products.