By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The National Conference of Chief Fishermen and Queen Fishmongers, hosted by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), has begun in Accra with renewed national commitment to tackling Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and building a more sustainable and inclusive fisheries sector.
The first day of the conference brought together chief fishermen, queen fishmongers, fishers, civil society organisations, policymakers, and academics for extensive dialogue on protecting Ghana’s marine resources. Participants engaged in frank discussions on community-led stewardship, fisheries governance, and the urgent need for coordinated action against IUU fishing.
Hen Mpoano commended the Ministry and the sector minister, Hon. Emelia Arthur, for championing the platform, noting that the unity shown on the opening day signalled strong national momentum for reform. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Ministry through advocacy, awareness creation, and community-level education as recommendations from the conference progress into implementation.
Hon. Emelia Arthur expressed appreciation to all participants for their robust contributions, describing the conversations as “rich, focused, and grounded in a shared determination to strengthen Ghana’s fisheries sector.”
Day Two: President John Dramani Mahama Announces Transformative Commitments
Energy around marine governance intensified on the second day as President Mahama outlined a series of commitments aimed at strengthening the sector and ushering Ghana into a new era of ocean protection.
National Focus on Marine Protected Areas:
The President reaffirmed Cabinet’s approval for Ghana’s first prospective MPA. He described the step as historic, signalling the beginning of a structured national approach to ocean conservation.
Strengthening Traditional Fisheries Governance:
President Mahama announced that Traditional Councils and District Assemblies will receive support to formalise and enforce by-laws on non-fishing days, reinforcing community stewardship and cultural practices that protect fish stocks.
Deepening Inclusivity in Co-Management:
Chief fishermen and queen fishmongers will be formally integrated into all fisheries co-management structures.
This aligns with Hen Mpoano’s long-standing bottom-up engagement model and pilot interventions across coastal communities.
His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II (Ga Mantse) addressed the gathering, urging renewed commitment to sustainable fishing practices and a united fight against IUU fishing. He also highlighted the rising threat of plastic pollution at landing sites, which continues to reduce fish quality and threaten livelihoods.
Hen Mpoano reaffirmed its readiness to continue supporting the Ministry and Fisheries Commission through technical expertise, advocacy, community-level facilitation, and science-based communication as Ghana moves closer to officially designating its first MPA.
The organisation congratulated Hon. Emelia Arthur for her leadership, describing the conference as a turning point for Ghana’s fisheries sector.
As policy reforms gain traction, stakeholders agreed that Ghana’s marine future is shifting, and that collaborative action will be crucial to ensuring healthier ecosystems, stronger fisheries governance, and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.
