The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has called on stakeholders across Ghana’s fisheries value chain to support ongoing reforms aimed at restoring fish stocks, safeguarding coastal livelihoods, and ensuring the sustainable management of marine resources.
She urged industry players to embrace voluntary compliance measures to facilitate the smooth implementation of the reforms.
Speaking at the launch of the Inshore Exclusion Zone Enforcement and Transparency (IEZET) project in Accra, Mrs. Arthur said the initiative would play a key role in strengthening fisheries governance under the newly enacted Fisheries Act 1146.
The IEZET project is being implemented by a consortium led by Global Fisheries and Resilience Action, in collaboration with Hen Mpoano and the Environmental Justice Foundation, to support effective enforcement of the law.
According to the Minister, the project represents a critical step toward rebuilding Ghana’s fisheries sector, particularly at a time when fish stocks continue to decline. She noted that its success is closely tied to the full implementation of the new legal framework.
“The success of this project is inseparable from the full implementation of the new fisheries legislation. Together, they reflect our commitment to restoring fisheries, protecting livelihoods, and securing the future of our ocean,” she said.
Mrs. Arthur described the IEZET initiative as timely, given the ongoing reforms and government’s renewed focus on reversing the depletion of marine resources.
She also sought to address concerns surrounding the project, stressing that it is designed to promote fairness, restore order, and ensure long-term sustainability within the sector.
She emphasized that conservation efforts would not come at the expense of people’s livelihoods, noting that government policies would strike a balance between environmental protection and economic survival.
“Conservation cannot and will not come at the cost of people’s survival; sustainability must go hand in hand with livelihoods,” she stated.
The Minister added that the government would continue to promote alternative livelihood opportunities, expand access to finance, and strengthen social protection systems particularly for women and young people who play a vital role in the fisheries sector.
Board Chair of GFRA, Jessica Nkansah, said the launch of the project demonstrates a shared commitment among stakeholders to drive sustainable change through collaboration and accountability.
She highlighted the importance of partnerships, noting that the combined strengths of the implementing organisations position the project for success.
However, she stressed that meaningful impact would depend on the active participation of all stakeholders.
“Our complementary strengths and synergies position us well for success, but the outcome of this project will ultimately depend on strong collaboration across the sector,” she said.
Dr. Nkansah reaffirmed the consortium’s commitment to supporting government efforts to improve fisheries management and enhance livelihoods along Ghana’s coastline.
She added that the project would be guided by principles of sustainability, equity, collaboration, accountability, innovation, and trust, ensuring transparency and long-term impact in its implementation.
