Accra: Madam Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, has called for improved and updated data in the fisheries sector to enhance decision-making. She emphasized that much of the data currently used by the government and its partners was outdated and did not accurately reflect changes in marine and aquatic ecosystems.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister made these remarks at a multistakeholder engagement workshop on the Blue Ventures Conservation Programme in Ghana. Madam Arthur urged stakeholders to prioritize the review and modernisation of data. She acknowledged Blue Ventures for its initiative and welcomed its collaboration with the Ministry following the signing of a memorandum of understanding. This partnership will focus on policy, legal, and institutional support for sustainable fisheries management, among other areas.
Blue Ventures is actively working with local partners in coastal communities, including the Centre for Coastal Management at the University of Cape Coast, Global Fisheries and Resilience Alliance, Ghana National Canoe and Fishermen Council, and the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana. Mr. Ebrima Saidy, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ventures, stated that the organization's mission in Ghana aligns with national priorities and commended the establishment of the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area as evidence of Ghana's commitment to rebuilding fisheries.
In an interview, Professor Berchie Asiedu, Deputy Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, stressed the need for increased investment in data gathering to better understand aquatic resources and the economic impact of the sector. He also highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in fisheries data-sharing, noting that fish migration across borders necessitates cooperative data management.