May 29, 2008

Ghana moving to develop domestic aquaculture industry

Ghana's Ministry of Fisheries is to establish contact with some Brazilian fish feed companies as part of an effort to develop domestic aquaculture sector.

The Ministry has also lent support to an FAO project in the volta basin to develop GIFT – Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia – in a bid to make fish farming commercially and economically attractive, according to Gladys Asmah, minister of the Ministry of Fisheries.

The ministry is also building up the staff strength of the Fisheries Directorate with expertise and skills in order to help fish farmers. The aquaculture industry has the potential to become a leader in domestic fish production and for export, Asmah said.

Ghana's fishery sector produces 64,395 tonnes of fish and deputy central regional minister Samuel Obodai has pledged the Regional Coordinating Council's readiness to support increasing fish production.

Periodic training for fish farmers is suggested so as to update the farmers' knowledge.

Chiefs and landowners have also been asked to make land available to fish farmers by removing various hindrances and making them affordable.

In addition, a Chinese company is currently in the process of setting up a fish feed plant in the Western Region.