Former Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Moses Anim has cautioned against padding data submitted to the ministry. He stated that the practice makes government policies ineffective. According to him, the lack of transparency in Ghana’s fisheries industry is a setback to sustainable management of the country’s fisheries resources. 

“To collaborate, we have to be honest, truthful and brutally frank to ourselves. We have a common experience where we picked information from one fleet of industry players and they came back to tell us (the Ministry) that the information was inaccurate. This was after they realised we were using the information to develop the sector. We’ve had situations where data provided were inaccurate yet the same people who submitted the data turnaround to insight others to question the inefficacy of the Ministry’s policies".

Speaking at the launch of the Aquaculture Ghana 2024 event, Mr. Anim urged sector players to be honest with themselves, their partners, and government to promote growth of the aquaculture industry.

“Give us the data. The honest, accurate data so that the Ministry can take the cause and advance it. I will continue to push for the growth of the sector because I see Aquaculture as the only viable alternative,” he urged.

Some fish farmers called on government to address pressing challenges like access to finance especially after the Akosombo Dam Spillage which have rendered SMEs in the sector to shut down.

“The main challenge the average fish farmer is getting funding from the government of Ghana. As a company, we have approached most banks but none gave us a loan because they don’t recognise our farms as a collateral. They want houses and building,” Naga Murali, a fish farmer lamented.

“Since the Akosombo Dam spillage, all the farms have collapsed which has rendered us jobless. We have nothing doing leading us to lay off our workers too. We want to appeal to government to help us. The promised to come to our aid so we’re still waiting and expecting it then we can revive our farms,” Mawutor David, another fish farmer bemoaned.

The Chamber for Aquaculture Ghana and its partners launched the Aquaculture Ghana 2024 event. The 2-day event which will take place in May will provide a platform for industry players to engage, network and develop sustainable ideas for the growth of the sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Jacob Adzikah explained saying “it comprises an exhibition, conferences and an awards night. It is a programme the Chamber for Aquaculture Ghana and its partners have created to promote the aquaculture industry and also to encourage stakeholders to be more responsible towards sustainable production”.

Aquaculture Ghana 2024 event is themed “Stakeholder Collaboration: A Key to Building A Resilient Aquaculture Industry”.