By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur , has called for a renewed national commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive partnerships in Ghana’s fisheries sector, emphasizing that sustainable management of marine resources must begin with people and communities.
She made the remarks at the launch of Hen Mpoano’s two flagship projects — With Fishers, For Fishers (WF³) and Gender-Responsive Conservation (GRC) held in Accra. The event marked a significant milestone in the organization’s 13-year journey of coastal impact and drew participants from government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, fisherfolk associations, and traditional leaders.
Describing the launch as “a moment of national renewal and shared responsibility,” Emelia Arthur noted that both initiatives align with Ghana’s Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (2026–2030) and advance key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 5, 8, and 14).
“We are not here merely to acknowledge challenges,” she said. “We are here to act to reset the course through partnerships that are community-driven, inclusive, accountable, and gender-responsive.”
The Minister commended Hen Mpoano and its partners for their sustained leadership in community-based marine governance, adding that the two new projects demonstrate the value of collaboration between government, civil society, and international partners in achieving sustainable fisheries reform.
The With Fishers, For Fishers (WF³) project, funded by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, responds to the urgent crisis in Ghana’s small pelagic fisheries. It seeks to strengthen fisheries co-management structures, enhance community-based enforcement, and support the establishment of Ghana’s first network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The Gender-Responsive Conservation (GRC) project, supported by the Government of Norway through the IUCN-RISE Challenge, integrates gender equality and gender-based violence prevention into fisheries governance, ensuring that conservation remains socially inclusive and ecologically sustainable.
The event was also attended by H.E. John Mikal Kvistad, Ambassador of Norway to Ghana, who reaffirmed his government’s commitment to advancing gender-responsive marine governance and supporting Ghana’s blue economy agenda.
Mr. Kofi Agbogah, Director of the organization, reflected on its 13-year evolution from the USAID-funded Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance (ICFG) initiative into a national leader in marine conservation, policy advocacy, and community empowerment.
“What began as a small coastal governance effort has grown into a movement shaping policies, empowering women, and inspiring communities to steward their own resources,” he said. “Our story is one of partnership and persistence — proof that sustainability begins with people.”
Project Managers Mr. Peter Kuusana Canicius (WF³) and Ms. Adiza Ama Owusuaa (GRC) delivered detailed presentations outlining the goals and expected outcomes of both initiatives, focusing on the strengthening of co-management systems, ecosystem protection, and gender empowerment in fishing communities.
Implementing partners CEWEFIA and The Ark Foundation also shared their roles in executing the GRC project, highlighting planned community training programmes, women’s empowerment initiatives, and gender-based advocacy efforts aimed at reducing vulnerabilities in fisheries-dependent communities.
The symbolic unveiling of the twin projects was performed jointly by Emelia Arthur, H.E. John Mikal Kvistad, and Hen Mpoano’s leadership, marking a renewed phase of collaboration for Ghana’s fisheries sector.
As Ghana moves toward building a resilient and inclusive blue economy, the Fisheries Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting such community-centered partnerships that empower women, protect marine resources, and secure sustainable livelihoods for future generations.
