The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has inaugurated the Governing Council of the Fisheries Commission with a firm mandate to scale up the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in Ghana’s waters.

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This development comes at a critical time when Ghana is facing increased international scrutiny over its fisheries management practices. The European Commission has issued a “yellow card” warning to Ghana, signaling the country’s potential classification as non-cooperative in the global fight against IUU fishing.

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While the yellow card does not yet carry trade restrictions, prolonged non-compliance could lead to a red card, which would bar Ghana from exporting fishery products to the European Union market.

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To avoid such sanctions and restore international confidence, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, outlined a number of decisive actions at the inauguration of the Commission’s new board. These include delisting non-compliant vessels and strengthening enforcement across the industry.

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“This is not just an administrative appointment—it is a national calling,” the Minister told the newly sworn-in council. “Our sector feeds millions, employs thousands, and has the potential for economic transformation. We must pursue a sustainable, well-governed, and resilient fisheries and aquaculture sector that delivers food security, decent jobs, and economic growth.”

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As part of reforms, the Ministry is also preparing to reintroduce a revised fisheries law after the previous legislation failed to gain parliamentary approval. The new legal framework is expected to align Ghana’s policies with international commitments and improve governance within the sector.

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Chairperson of the newly constituted Council, Professor Wisdom Akpalu, acknowledged that the fisheries sector has suffered setbacks over the years, making it vulnerable to IUU activities. He emphasized the need for urgent reforms, especially in monitoring, control, and surveillance.

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One of the major issues flagged includes illegal transshipment at sea, involving juvenile pelagic species exchanged between industrial trawlers and local canoes—activities that breach both local and international regulations.

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Meanwhile, the sector minister has recounted her meeting at the World Bank Office in Accra to discuss key strategies for advancing Ghana's fisheries sector on Monday.

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“We focused on job creation, coastal infrastructure development, and promoting gender empowerment in our coastal communities. I am grateful for the World Bank's commitment to supporting our initiatives and their willingness to collaborate on a shared development vision,” she wrote in a post on Facebook.

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She welcomed the proposal for further technical engagement to solidify project plans.

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The World Bank's job creation agenda aligns with the Ministry's goals, particularly in developing Ghana's aquaculture industry and creating sustainable livelihoods for women and youth in coastal areas.

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Hon. Emelia Arthur has noted that international partners like Bloomberg and Oceana are supporting the data gathering efforts, which will inform our policy and project planning.

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“With increased investment and technical support, I'm confident we can unlock the full potential of our fisheries sector and drive sustainable growth in our coastal regions,” she added.

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