Tema: The National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) has renamed its conference auditorium in honor of the late Flight Lieutenant Militides Godfrey Tackey (Rtd) in recognition of his immense contribution to the development of Ghana's fisheries sector. The ceremony, held in Tema, brought together key stakeholders within the fisheries industry to celebrate the legacy of the late Tackey, who played a pivotal role in advancing the interests of artisanal fishers both locally and internationally.
According to Ghana News Agency, Nana Joojo Solomon, the President of NAFAG, who also serves as the National Chairman of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, stated that the honor was in appreciation of the late Flt Lt Tackey's dedication and impact on the industry. Mr. Solomon noted that through the honouree's initiative, the association was able to acquire the land on which it currently operates and undertook major developmental projects.
'As a corporate institution, what we are doing is necessary because any association or country that does not recognize the contributions of its people is not worth dying for,' he said, adding that, 'this is to serve as an incentive for future generations to work diligently, knowing that their legacy will endure.' He also mentioned that the honouree, who served in the Ghana Armed Forces and was also a national security operative, leveraged his influence to promote the fisheries sector and strengthen its position at both national and international levels.
Madam Emelia Arthur, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, in a speech read on her behalf, also acknowledged the late Flt Lt Tackey's contributions, noting that he played a significant role in shaping policies and advocating for artisanal fisheries. She highlighted his involvement in efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as his role in ensuring equitable distribution of premix fuel to fishers.
Stakeholders at the event, including representatives from various fisheries associations, described the late Flt Lt Tackey as a dedicated leader whose contributions helped stabilize and advance the industry. Touching on recent developments in the sector, industry leaders welcomed the inauguration of Ghana's Marine Protected Area (MPA), describing it as a bold step toward addressing declining fish stocks. They explained that while such conservation measures might initially affect fishing communities, they were necessary to curb overfishing, protect fish breeding grounds, and sustain livelihoods in the long term.