Stakeholders Call for Scholarships to Strengthen Education in Fishing Communities

Kete-krachi: Stakeholders in Ghana's fisheries sector have called for the introduction of targeted scholarship schemes for students from fishing communities, particularly along the Volta Lake, to strengthen education and healthcare delivery in underserved areas. Mr. Daniel Akpaglo Nyamekor, National Vice President of the Chief Fishermen and Queen Fishmongers Council, made the call at the launch of the Association in Kete-Krachi in the Oti Region. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Nyamekor urged the Government and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to institute scholarship packages for qualified students from fishing communities to pursue courses in Colleges of Education and Nursing Training Institutions. He highlighted that despite governmental investments in educational infrastructure nationwide, some riparian communities continued to face challenges in accessing quality education due to limited school facilities and difficulties in attracting and retaining trained teachers. He noted that t he situation adversely affected learning outcomes and restricted opportunities for the youth, with implications for the long-term socio-economic development of those communities. Mr. Nyamekor explained that a dedicated scholarship scheme would enable indigenes to train as teachers and health professionals and return to serve their communities. 'By investing in the education and training of young people from these communities, we can build a pool of professionals who understand the local environment, language, and culture, making service delivery more effective and sustainable,' he said. He added that teachers and nurses from fishing communities were more likely to accept postings and remain in such areas, thereby reducing staff turnover and ensuring continuity in essential services. Mr. Nyamekor said the initiative would support decentralization and local content policies by promoting community participation and ownership of development programmes. He emphasized that strengthening education and healthcare s ystems in fishing communities would improve the resilience of households and contribute to sustainable livelihoods. 'In investing in education and health personnel from these communities, we are not only addressing immediate service gaps but also securing the future of the sector,' he added. He said improved literacy and health outcomes would enable fisherfolk and fish processors to adopt modern practices, diversify income sources, and participate effectively in local governance. Participants at the event welcomed the proposal and expressed optimism that the scholarship initiative would complement existing Government interventions aimed at improving living conditions in coastal and riparian communities. They pledged to collaborate with District Assemblies, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ministry of Health to identify beneficiaries and establish monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.