By Sarah Baafi
Ghana has deepened strategic cooperation with China in fisheries and aquaculture as part of efforts to enhance food security, create jobs, and grow the blue economy.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, led a high-level engagement with Mr. Han Jun, China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, in Beijing, where Ghana presented a Ghana–China Fisheries Partnership Framework aimed at attracting investment, technology transfer, and capacity building.
Emelia Arthur said fisheries and aquaculture are critical to Ghana’s development, noting that fish provides over 60 per cent of the country’s animal protein intake and supports millions of livelihoods.
She stressed that aquaculture expansion must drive future growth, as Ghana currently faces a fish supply deficit of about 590,000 metric tonnes, valued between US$600 million and US$800 million annually, due to declining marine stocks.
Ghana highlighted its strategic position as a gateway to African markets, supported by the presence of the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, and pointed to major aquaculture opportunities on Lake Volta, which is currently underutilized.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture identified investment opportunities in fish feed production, SPF hatcheries, cold chain infrastructure, and modern processing facilities, assuring investors of flexible ownership structures and Free Zones incentives.
Discussions also covered flagship projects, including a proposed fishing port at Shama in the Western Region and a partnership for the Ghana National Aquaculture Centre.
The minister called for a formal Ghana–China Fisheries Cooperation MoU, describing the partnership as key to building a sustainable and resilient fisheries sector for future generations.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com