Coastal communities across the Volta Region have received a major boost to safety and resilience following the official launch of the Fisherfolk Sustainability Network (FSN) in Keta. The ceremony brought together traditional leaders, government officials, fisherfolk groups, landing beach committees, women in the fisheries value chain, partner organizations, and civil society actors.

Speaking at the launch, Christabel Ewedji, founder of the Fisherfolk Sustainability Network, described the occasion as “a significant milestone, not just for the organization, but for every coastal community whose livelihoods depend on safe, sustainable, and resilient fishing practices.”

FSN was established to confront the growing challenges faced by coastal fishing communities, which include rising safety risks at sea, environmental degradation, inadequate access to training, and the worsening effects of climate change.

According to Christabel Ewedji, the Network’s vision is “to encourage safety practices during fishing expeditions, and to promote the safe handling, processing, and distribution of fish products.” She emphasized that FSN’s work is anchored in internationally recognized safety standards, including Chapter 3, Section 2 of the 2005 Code of Safety for Fishermen and Fishing Vessels.

“These pillars define who we are and what we aim to accomplish,” Christabel Ewedji said. “They reflect our commitment to empowering communities, safeguarding our oceans, and ensuring that every fishing activity, from the moment a canoe leaves shore to the point fish products reach the consumer, is grounded in knowledge, responsibility, and care.”

A key highlight of the event was the donation of 60 certified life jackets to fisherfolk in Keta-Vodza, one of the Volta Region’s busiest landing communities. The intervention comes at a time when safety concerns at sea continue to rise due to unpredictable weather patterns and operational accidents.

“This donation is more than an item presentation; it is a commitment to saving lives,” Christabel Ewedji noted during the handover ceremony. The presentation coincided with activities marking World Fisheries Day 2025, drawing loud applause from community members who described the gesture as timely and life-saving.

FSN also conducted intensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training for landing beach committee members drawn from Keta, Ketu South, and Anloga. Participants were trained in CPR, drowning prevention, wound management, and safe rescue techniques - skills that are essential for communities that frequently respond to emergencies at sea.

Throughout the ceremony, FSN was celebrated as more than just a new organization. The network was heralded as the beginning of a transformative movement within the fisheries sector.

Christabel Ewedji ended the event with a call for broad collaboration and partnership: “As we begin this journey, we reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, and meaningful impact. The FSN is calling for collaboration and partnership to make this vision a reality.”

The launch marks the start of what many hope will be a long-term, community-driven effort toward safer seas, environmental stewardship, and strengthened coastal livelihoods across the Volta Region.