In September 2017, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declared that the government would purchase a research vessel to aid in the monitoring of the nation's fish stocks.To assist in the monitoring of our fish stock, the government plans to purchase its own research vessel, though it won't be as large as the Fridtjof vessel, he said.

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In order to aid in the monitoring of the nation's fish stocks, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana, has pledged that the government will soon purchase a research vessel.“Government intends to acquire its own research vessel not of the size of the Fridtjof vessel though, to help in the monitoring of our fish stock”, he announced.

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Nana Addo made the promise when he welcomed the new marine research vessel RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen, owned by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) which made her first call to the Port of Tema.The President expressed worry over the depletion of the country’s fishing stock, adding that government has put in place a fisheries, management plan to ensure long term conservation of the country’s waters and marine stock.

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“Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing methods are depleting our fish stock. Our beautiful coastal wetlands are threatened by high volumes of plastic and metal waste that choke breeding habits for fish. This must not be allowed to continue. To this end, an inter-ministerial approach to curb this menace is in the pipeline,” he added.

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The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Naa Afoley said government is committed to ensuring long term conservation of fish stock to ensure food safety.The main goals of this strategy, according to her, are to lessen undue strain on fish stocks, ensure effective fisheries legislation, promote participatory decision-making, as well as fulfill regional and global duties in the field of fisheries.

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The research vessel in Ghana is outfitted for operations in developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It is there to gauge the abundance of marine life in the country's waterways.Her main responsibilities are on fishing research operations and ecosystem studies.

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