Ghana’s fisheries sector can only achieve long-term sustainability through transparency, credible data systems and inclusive governance, Madam Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, has said.
She indicated that strengthening institutions, improving access to reliable information and fostering public trust were essential steps toward safeguarding marine resources and protecting the livelihoods of millions who depend on the sector.
Madam Arthur made the remarks at a regional workshop in Accra focused on advancing the implementation of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) across Anglophone West Africa.
She stressed that transparency must go beyond the mere release of information, describing it as a strategic tool for deepening accountability, empowering stakeholders and building confidence among governments, fishing communities, industry players and development partners.
The workshop brought together participants from Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, alongside representatives of the FiTI International Secretariat and development partners, to strengthen the adoption of global fisheries transparency standards.
Madam Arthur observed that the absence of reliable data on key indicators such as fish stock levels, vessel registries, licensing regimes, subsidies, catches and fisheries agreements continued to hinder effective governance and sustainable resource management.
She said Ghana’s engagement with FiTI formed part of a broader national agenda to promote science-based, participatory and transparent management of the fisheries sector.
According to her, the country is currently advancing toward submitting its application to become a FiTI implementing country, with support from national institutions, technical experts and key stakeholders.
Madam Arthur further touched on challenges confronting the fisheries sector including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, declining fish stocks and weak governance frameworks , issues she stressed were transboundary in nature and required coordinated regional responses.
She emphasised the need for collaboration among countries, noting that shared marine ecosystems demanded collective action and continuous knowledge exchange.
Also addressing the forum, Ms Johanna Klotz, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Ghana, described the workshop as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen fisheries governance on the continent.
She pointed out that limited public access to fisheries-related information over the years had weakened accountability and eroded trust within the sector.
Ms Klotz noted that the lack of transparency in areas such as licensing, vessel registration, stock assessments and subsidies had created imbalances, disadvantaged certain stakeholder groups and introduced uncertainty for both investors and fishing communities.
She explained that the FiTI framework was designed to address these gaps by promoting the systematic disclosure of fisheries information and encouraging active stakeholder participation in decision-making.
According to her, Ghana and Liberia are expected to submit their FiTI implementing country applications by the second quarter of 2026, while Sierra Leone continues to make progress on its national process.
She added that the workshop would introduce practical tools, including the Fisheries Information System (FIS), aimed at improving data accessibility and supporting transparent, evidence-based governance.
Dr Godfred Ameyaw Asiedu, Regional Coordinator for Anglophone Africa at FiTI, said the engagement was intended to move participating countries from policy commitment to practical implementation.
He explained that participants would benefit from technical guidance, peer learning and operational support to strengthen institutional frameworks and readiness for FiTI compliance.
The workshop also promoted regional cooperation through experience sharing, including lessons from Seychelles, the first country globally to attain full compliance under the FiTI standard.
FiTI, established in 2015, has since grown into a global framework supporting transparent, data-driven and stakeholder-led fisheries management, with about 14 countries currently engaged.
The initiative seeks to enhance accountability, build trust and empower communities that depend on sustainable fisheries resources for their livelihoods.
