President Akufo-Addo has announced that Cabinet has approved the procurement of a research vessel and four patrol boats for the fisheries sector.

Speaking at the 2021 National Farmers’ Day Celebration which was held in Cape Coast on December 3, 2021, the President noted that this will make it possible for Ghana’s marine resources to be protected effectively.

The research vessel, according to him, will facilitate regular fisheries research and stock assessment to amplify data availability for science-based fisheries management. He said the four patrol boats, to be deployed to each of the four coastal regions, will help the security agencies guard against the illegal exploitation of marine resources.

The 37th National Farmers Day was held at the Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast, on the theme: “Planting for Food and Jobs: Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana”.

This year’s event was jointly hosted by the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, and the Ghana Cocoa Board.

During the event, the President noted that the acquisition of the vessels would strengthen Ghana’s capacity to address the over-exploitation of the marine ecosystem and curb the pervasive incidence of illegal unreported and unregulated fishing by local and foreign fishing vessels.

“Construction works on fishing harbours and landing sites across the four coastal regions were progressing steadily and, upon completion, would transform the fisheries sector by providing modernised berthing, handling, processing, and mechanisation facilities to the fisher folks,” the President said.

He was particularly happy about the fishing communities’ “enthusiastic embrace and seeing the benefits of the closed fishing season policy.”

The President said preparatory works are ongoing for the enactment of a new fisheries Act to address the lapses in the existing legislation and deepen sustainable management of those resources.

He gave the assurance that the Government would do all it could to help preserve the marine ecosystem of Ghana.