Nice: The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA) of Ghana organized a significant side event at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France. The event, moderated by Professor Berchie Asiedu, Deputy Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, focused on the theme ‘Bridging Conservation Gaps: Integrating Indigenous Practices for Equitable Fisheries in Ghana.’ It brought together global stakeholders, policymakers, civil society, and development partners to discuss inclusive approaches to ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries management.
According to Ghana News Agency, the session emphasized Ghana’s leadership in incorporating traditional knowledge systems into formal governance frameworks, reaffirming the country’s commitment to a more equitable and resilient blue economy. Madam Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, delivered a keynote address urging the integration of indigenous wisdom with scientific approaches to confront ocean challenges effectively.
The minister highlighted the importance of traditional practices such as taboo fishing zones, sacred groves, and closed fishing days, which are critical tools for conservation that must be documented and preserved. She detailed Ghana’s implementation of the Co-Management Policy for the Fisheries Sector, including the formation of Community-Based Fisheries Management Committees (CBFMCs) and collaboration with national fisher associations.
In a notable move, President John Dramani Mahama appointed a fisher as an advisor on indigenous knowledge to the Ministry, marking a strong political commitment to elevating indigenous knowledge systems in environmental policy.
The side event recommended the urgent need for systematic integration of indigenous knowledge into national systems and planning frameworks. It also advocated for curriculum reform to ensure the transfer of indigenous fishing wisdom across generations, highlighting the role of inland fisheries in Ghana’s blue economy.
Participants called for enhanced partnerships between government entities, academia, civil society, and indigenous communities. International panelists, including Prof. Rashid Sumaila from the University of British Columbia and Dr Kristin Kleisner from the Environmental Defence Fund, advocated for cross-disciplinary approaches to fisheries governance.
Mr Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, commended the Ministry for facilitating the transformative dialogue, emphasizing the importance of blending scientific research with community wisdom to tackle biodiversity loss and climate threats.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the 30€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬30 global target of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, calling for greater international collaboration and investment in ocean science and community-led conservation.
The session concluded with renewed calls for international institutions and regional organizations to support indigenous marine conservation, documentation of local knowledge, and inclusive ocean governance.