Government’s vision for the fish sector is to transform and grow the aquaculture sub-sector increase domestic fish production, reduce fish import and create job opportunities along the value chain by providing conducive environment.
It is for this reason, that government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) is re-introducing the fish festival celebration aimed at providing a platform for fisher folks to showcase their products, be well recognized and acknowledged for their invaluable contributions to national food security.
The fish festival was first instituted in 2015 by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to primarily celebrate distinguished fishers and outstanding fishing communities for their support to socio- economic development.
The Minister for MoFAD Madam Hawa Koomson said this in an interview with the Public Relations unit of the Ministry.
She noted that the maiden edition was celebrated at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region in 2015 and in 2016, it moved to the Anloga in the Volta Region. ‘This year, the Ministry decided to re-institute it and celebrate the third edition which is on the theme; ‘Promoting Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture for National Development’ she added.
Touching on the theme, Madam Koomson explained that it reflects the important role the sector plays in economic development adding that the move to reinstitute the fish festival was also stemmed from the Ministry’s project to implement Aquaculture for Food and jobs, quality fingerings, provision of extension services, provision of infrastructure and essential aquaculture inputs.
She indicated that the production of fish locally in large quantity is to reduce importation and Ghana self-sufficient while providing job opportunities along the aquaculture value chain by encouraging the private sector with economic incentives to increase investment in commercial fish farming, promote small scale fish farming, support institutions which have the potential to produce fish as well as support existing and new entrant fish farmers with subsidized inputs.
The Ministry is calling on all stakeholders in the fishing sector and food production industry to take advantage to this opportunity to be at this year’s fish festival slated for 24th and 25th November, 2022 at the Black star Square in Accra. There will be durbars, exhibition of fishing and aquaculture inputs, fish products as well as panel discussion on topics that would be beneficial to stakeholders in the sector, potential fish farmers, investors and the youth.
Source: Public Relations Unit (MoFAD).
