Accra: Sixty entrepreneurs are set to embark on an eight-week intensive training program focused on fish value addition. The initiative aims to promote youth employment, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen agribusiness development in Ghana. The training is part of the ECOWAS Youth Employment Initiative, organized in partnership with the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development and hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Food Research Institute.
According to Ghana News Agency, the participants will receive practical training in processing various value-added fish products, such as smoked tilapia and catfish, koobi in oil, koobi chunks and powder, fish gut oil, fish chips, fillets, spicy fish chunks, minced fish, and fish sausage. Dr. Amy Atter, the Local Training Coordinator, mentioned at the opening ceremony that the program is designed to bridge the gap between raw fish production and profitable agribusiness enterprises.
Beyond technical training, the initiative will provide participants with essential business development skills, including packaging and branding, record keeping and costing, compliance with Food and Drugs Authority certification requirements, marketing strategies, and the preparation of practical business plans. By the end of the training, each participant is expected to acquire at least ten product development skills and the knowledge required to establish or expand a sustainable fish processing enterprise.
Mr. Edward H. Decker, National Training Coordinator, emphasized that the program extends beyond technical training by incorporating entrepreneurship development, mentorship, gender inclusion strategies, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure measurable outcomes. He noted that equipping beneficiaries with both practical skills and business development competencies will support the creation of sustainable agribusiness enterprises, contribute to food security, and expand employment opportunities for young people.
Mr. Decker also stated that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the Economic Community of West African States to empower young people through agribusiness and value-chain development. Fish value addition is critical in addressing post-harvest losses in the fisheries sector, extending shelf life, expanding market opportunities, and increasing incomes along the value chain. Expected outcomes include training at least 60 individuals in agricultural value chains, developing at least 90 business plans, establishing a network of young agribusiness entrepreneurs, and enhancing employability among participants.
The initiative will strengthen youth participation in agribusiness while promoting innovation and productivity in the sector. Mr. Decker reaffirmed CSIR's commitment to delivering high-quality training, ensuring transparency in implementation, and achieving the initiative's outlined targets. He stressed that investing in youth empowerment is essential for national and regional development, as supporting young people will drive innovation, productivity, and long-term economic prosperity.
Professor Charles Tortoe, Director of FRI, in a statement delivered on his behalf, highlighted the importance of fish to human growth and development, cautioning that mishandling could lead to it becoming poisonous. He noted that the training is a valuable empowerment process to innovate, improve income, and contribute to food safety.