All tilapia imports into Ghana have been banned with immediate effect.

Government says it will no longer issue permits for the popular fish found on most Ghanaian menu.

The enforcement unit of the fisheries Ministry will also begin tracking all fishing vessels and scan through cold stores nationwide to enforce the ban.

Fisheries Minister Sherry Aryitey tells Joy News the government expects the new policy to stimulate growth in the local aqua-culture sector to create more than 50,000 jobs.