Aspiring National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edem Segbefia, has praised the fisheries and aquaculture reforms being implemented under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, describing them as transformative interventions that are restoring livelihoods, improving food security, and creating sustainable economic opportunities for coastal communities.
Addressing NDC grassroots members during an interactive engagement in the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Segbefia said the fisheries sector had been in severe decline before the NDC returned to office in January 2025.
“Before the NDC returned to office, our fisheries sector was collapsing. Our seas were depleted, fisherfolk struggled to make ends meet, women fish processors suffered significant losses, and many young people had abandoned fishing because there was no future in it. Today, that story is changing.”
He explained that President Mahama’s vision for the sector is anchored on “sustainable seas, prosperous fisherfolk, and food security for all,” with policies aimed at rebuilding fish stocks, supporting fishing communities, and expanding aquaculture as a major source of employment and economic growth.
Major Reforms
Dr. Segbefia highlighted a number of key initiatives undertaken by the government, including:
Successful implementation of a four-week closed fishing season for artisanal and inshore fleets to restore marine resources.
Payment of GH¢200 million in livelihood support directly to registered canoe owners, fishmongers, and fish processors during the closed season.
Deployment of 12 additional patrol boats under Operation Sea Guard in collaboration with the Ghana Navy to combat illegal fishing, light fishing, saiko, and unauthorized foreign trawlers.
Digitalization of premix fuel distribution through biometric registration to eliminate diversion and ensure fair access.
Distribution of 10,000 subsidized outboard motors and fishing nets to artisanal fishers at only 40 percent of the actual cost.
Rehabilitation of major landing beaches, including James Town, Elmina, Axim, Keta, and several others with modern cold stores, ice plants, sanitation facilities, and sheds.
Construction of 20 modern fish processing and smoking centres to improve working conditions for women fish processors.
Resumption of work on strategic fishing harbour infrastructure and establishment of a GH¢150 million Fisheries Development Fund to support fish farmers.
Aquaculture Expansion
According to Dr. Segbefia, the government is also investing heavily in aquaculture through:
Low-interest loans for fish farmers.
Subsidized fingerlings and fish feed.
Expansion of fish farming along the Volta Lake and coastal lagoons.
Government hatcheries in the Ashanti, Bono and Volta Regions producing approximately 50 million quality fingerlings annually.
Support for three domestic fish feed factories, contributing to a 25 percent reduction in feed prices.
Free training programmes in fish farming, feed production, and fish marketing.
He said these interventions have created more than 5,000 new jobs in tilapia and catfish farming alone.
Positive Results
Dr. Segbefia stated that the reforms are already producing measurable outcomes.
According to him:
National fish production has increased by 35 percent.
Fish imports have declined by 30 percent
More than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created across fishing, processing, aquaculture, transportation, marketing and boat building.
Over 80,000 women fish processors and traders have received training in hygiene, packaging and market access.
Ghana has resumed exports of tilapia to the European market and smoked fish to diaspora communities.
A comprehensive digital database of canoe owners, fishers and fishmongers has been established to improve planning and service delivery.
A National Fisheries Insurance Scheme has been introduced to provide insurance coverage for canoes and fisherfolk.
Scientific research now guides fisheries management through the deployment of a modern fisheries survey vessel.
Benefits to Coastal Communities
Dr. Segbefia stressed that the reforms are directly improving the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
He noted that fisherfolk now receive direct financial support during the closed season, subsidized fishing equipment has reduced operational costs, improved landing beach infrastructure has minimized post-harvest losses, and modern processing facilities are empowering women engaged in fish processing.
He further indicated that increased local fish production is helping stabilize fish prices in major markets such as Makola, Kaneshie and Tema while creating additional economic opportunities in transportation, cold storage, boat repairs, ice production and fish marketing.
Message to NDC Grassroots
Dr. Segbefia urged constituency and branch executives of the NDC to ensure that all eligible fisherfolk register with the Fisheries Commission in order to benefit from government programmes.
He encouraged grassroots members to:
Register canoe owners, fishers and fishmongers for premix fuel, compensation and insurance schemes.
Assist women fish processors in accessing the newly established processing centres.
Mobilise young people to apply for aquaculture loans and technical training.
Promote fish farming in areas such as Ga South, Ningo-Prampram and Shai-Osudoku.
Support Operation Sea Guard by reporting illegal fishing activities.
Monitor premix fuel distribution to eliminate diversion.
Form cooperatives to improve access to financing and export opportunities.
“NDC Is Delivering”
Dr. Segbefia maintained that the reforms demonstrate the Mahama administration’s commitment to improving livelihoods.
“When your mother receives closed season compensation, when your sister gets space in a modern fish processing centre, when your brother receives support to start a fish farm, that is the NDC delivering. We are protecting our seas, supporting our fisherfolk and creating jobs while strengthening Ghana’s food security.”
He added that the fisheries and aquaculture reforms present a significant opportunity for the NDC to consolidate public confidence.
“The prestige of belonging to the ruling NDC is that we are the party that has restored dignity to our fisherfolk and food to our tables. Fisheries and aquaculture are once again becoming engines of employment, business growth and national development. Let us continue to protect our seas, tell our success story, and ensure every eligible fisherfolk benefits from these interventions.”
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
