USAID provides $24m funding to improve fisheries value chain – Minister

• Participants inspected some of the
certified fish processors displayed
at the Safe Fish Symposium

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing an amountof $24 million funding to restore Ghana’s coastal fisheries, say the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson.

She explained that the purpose of the funding was targeted at improving ocean conservation along the coast areas as well as driving positive change across the entire fisheries value chain.

Mrs Koomson said this in a speech read on her behalf on Tuesday in Accra at a stakeholder’s symposium aimed at promoting hygienic and high-quality fish for Ghanaians.

It brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, industry-academia, and community representatives to discuss and address the critical issues surrounding fish safety and sustainability in Ghana.

The symposium also allowed the participants to discuss the safe fish certification and licensing scheme’s implementation successes, challenges, and strategies for ensuring the safety of fish.

Mrs Koomson stated that the USAID, through the United States government, was the largest bilateral development partner of the government, stressing that in 2023, bilateral assistance from the USAID was over $140 million.

She explained that the $140 million was used to support the Ghanaian economy in areas but not limited to agriculture, education, economic growth, and governance, which had witnessed positive results in the economy.

She added that through government assistance from the USAID, the fishing industry had witnessed some positive developments, such as appropriate handling and processing methods to maintain fish quality.

Furthermore, Mrs Koomson indicated that the Ministry, in partnership with USAID, was working closely with key stakeholders to clamp down on illegal fishing practices, which threatened public health and as well undermined the foundation of the country’s fisheries sector.

She mentioned that a post-harvest management and trade programme of the Fisheries Commission (FC) was also ensuring fishermen practice sustainability, and preserve marine and inland resources in order to ensure the availability of safe and hygienic fish.

“Let us work together to ensure that the fish we produce and consume is not only a source of nourishment but also a symbol of our commitment to fish safety, as well as a healthier and more sustainable future.

The Ministry and the Commission recognise the urgent need to address the challenges faced in the sector to improve the fishing industry, which massively serves as a source of livelihood to many Ghanaians,” she mentioned.

The Acting Deputy Mission Director of the USAID/Ghana, Mr Andrew Read, said about 3,500 women fish processors and traders from the coastal communities had been trained in hygienic fish handling and processing, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.

He noted that the USAID, in partnership with the various agencies under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, had inspected 300 fish processing facilities and granted 191 safe fish certificates.

“One thing we have learnt since the launch of the safe fish certification scheme in 2022 is that certification alone will not solve the challenges ahead.

Collectively, we must invest in capacity building and training programmes to empower the local fishermen and processors with the knowledge and skills to comply with these standards effectively,” Mr Read noted.

BY BERNARD BENGHAN