The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Madam Emelia Arthur, has urged stakeholders in Ghana’s fisheries sector to prioritise the improvement and modernisation of data systems to support more effective policy decisions.
She noted that much of the data currently used to guide decisions by government and development partners is outdated, having been collected decades ago, and no longer reflects present realities in marine and aquatic ecosystems.
“We must re-examine our data. Some of the figures we continue to rely on are no longer relevant to the changes we are seeing today,” she said.
Madam Arthur made the call at a multi-stakeholder engagement workshop on the Blue Ventures Conservation Programme in Ghana, where she also welcomed the organisation’s entry into the country.
Blue Ventures, an international non-governmental organisation, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture to collaborate on key areas within the sector.
The partnership will focus on strengthening policy, legal and institutional frameworks for sustainable fisheries management, improving enforcement systems through coordinated approaches, and enhancing capacity through training and skills development.
Other areas of cooperation include scientific research, data collection, community engagement, marine conservation, ecosystem protection, and livelihood support for coastal communities, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
The organisation is also working with local partners in coastal areas to implement its programmes. These include the Centre for Coastal Management at the University of Cape Coast, the Global Fisheries and Resilience Alliance, the Ghana National Canoe and Fishermen Council, and the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana.
Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ventures, Mr Ebrima Saidy, said the organisation’s work in Ghana would align with national priorities, particularly efforts to rebuild fish stocks and promote sustainable practices.
He commended Ghana for establishing the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area, describing it as a strong indication of the country’s commitment to safeguarding marine resources.
Mr Saidy highlighted the growing challenges facing small-scale fishers along Ghana’s coastline, including declining fish catches, increased competition in nearshore waters, and mounting environmental pressures.
“These challenges are already impacting food security, incomes and the resilience of coastal communities,” he said.
In a related interview, Professor Berchie Asiedu, Deputy Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, stressed the importance of increased investment in data collection and analysis to better understand the state of fisheries and their contribution to the national economy.
He also called for stronger collaboration among countries in the region to facilitate data sharing, noting that marine resources are not confined by national borders.
“Fish move across boundaries, so there must be cooperation between countries to share data and manage resources effectively,” he said.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s fisheries sector through evidence-based policymaking, improved conservation practices, and enhanced support for coastal livelihoods.
