Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Joshua Ansah, has called on African governments yet to ratify the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention (C188) to do so and integrate it into national law.
Convention 188 sets global minimum standards on employment, accommodations, safety, health, and social security aboard fishing vessels.
Ratification, Mr. Ansah explained, would compel countries to establish enforcement systems that guarantee decent working conditions for fishers while fostering stronger social dialogue in the sector.
He made the appeal at the opening of the Africa Seafood Workers Conference in Accra, organised by the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF-Africa) in collaboration with the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of TUC.
The conference brought together seafood workers’ unions and organisations across the continent to deliberate on decent work, child labour elimination, labour rights, sustainable fisheries, and strategies for implementing C188.
It also showcased best practices, including Ghana’s experience with C188 and the widely acclaimed “Torkor Model,” which has helped curb child labour in the fishing sector.
“The dignity of fish workers will only be won through unity and struggle,” Mr. Ansah stressed, urging industry stakeholders to respect workers’ rights, engage in fair bargaining, and eliminate child exploitation from supply chains.
Representing the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mr. Nii Ismael Adjei Browne highlighted Ghana’s passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), which provides a modern legal framework to manage aquatic resources, promote aquaculture, and align with international standards.
He said the Act, alongside Ghana’s ratification of ILO C188, demonstrated the country’s commitment to building a sustainable blue economy.
“It empowers unions and fisherfolks to play a greater role in decision-making and safeguarding the long-term future of our aquatic resources,” Mr. Browne added.
He cautioned, however, that the law’s effectiveness would depend on robust enforcement and collaboration across governments, unions, industry players, and civil society.
“The future of Africa’s seafood sector rests on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity,” Mr. Browne said, encouraging participants to use the conference platform to inspire broader adoption of best practices.
Development partners and organisers expressed hope that the meeting would accelerate Africa’s collective action towards safer, fairer, and more resilient fisheries that protect both livelihoods and resources.
