Minister of Fisheries announces ambitious aquaculture development program as President signs landmark National Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025
Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
ACCRA, Ghana - In a groundbreaking move to address Ghana's growing fish import dependency and strengthen food security, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has officially launched the "Tilapia and Catfish Friday" initiative, a nationwide campaign designed to promote local fish consumption and support domestic aquaculture farmers.
The announcement was made by Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, during a keynote address to the Ghana National Aquaculture Association, where she declared the initiative officially launched as part of the government's broader Feed Ghana agenda.
Ghana faces a significant challenge in meeting its fish consumption needs, with the country requiring over 1 million metric tons of fish annually while domestic production covers only 43.6% of this demand. The shortfall forces Ghana to import an average of 185,376.60 metric tons of fish each year, valued at $82.65 million, creating a substantial drain on the national trade balance and exposing vulnerable households to food and nutrition insecurity.
"Fish remains a vital part of the Ghanaian diet, contributing over 60% of the country's animal protein intake," Minister Arthur explained. "Our national per capita fish consumption averages 20.43 kilograms per person per year, underscoring the strong national demand for fish and the opportunity to grow local supply."
The minister emphasized that with Ghana's marine fisheries sector facing challenges including fish stock depletion, the focus must shift toward inland fisheries and aquaculture development to balance the equation and ensure sustainable protein sources for the population.
Despite significant growth in recent years, with aquaculture production increasing exponentially from 10,200 metric tons in 2010 to 121,809 metric tons in 2024, the sector still accounts for less than 10% of national fish requirements. This growth has been driven largely by tilapia and catfish farming, highlighting the potential for further expansion.
President John Dramani Mahama has identified inland fisheries and aquaculture development as a priority under his 24-hour economy program, signaling strong government commitment to the sector's growth.
The newly launched initiative calls on Ghanaians to dedicate one day each week to consuming locally farmed tilapia and catfish, with the ultimate goal of expanding this to daily consumption. Minister Arthur acknowledged that while the campaign starts with Friday, the vision is to reach "tilapia and catfish everyday."
- Increase domestic fish production and reduce import dependency
- Boost incomes for Ghanaian fish farmers, many operating small to medium-scale businesses
- Create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth involved in harvesting, processing, marketing, and distribution
- Improve population nutrition and health by encouraging consumption of high-quality, affordable fish
The minister highlighted significant price disparities in the tilapia market that need addressing. While farmers sell tilapia at approximately 38 Ghana cedis per kilogram, consumers pay between 100-180 cedis for the same quantity at restaurants and retail outlets.
"There is a problem there, and that is something that we are going to look into as we go big on aquaculture," Minister Arthur stated, indicating government plans to investigate and address these market inefficiencies.
Beyond basic consumption, the campaign encourages value addition through innovative products such as fish sausages, fish crackers, fish powder, and smoked tilapia and catfish.
The minister specifically commended local entrepreneurs already developing these products, highlighting their contribution to diversifying the aquaculture value chain.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has outlined comprehensive support measures for the aquaculture industry:
Infrastructure Development, The government is supporting the establishment of hatcheries to ensure supply of high-quality fingerlings and working with the 24-hour economy Secretariat to map fish farming areas and locate cold storage facilities, market infrastructure, and processing facilities.
Feed Cost Reduction, Recognizing that feed represents one of the most expensive components of aquaculture production, the government is exploring ways to reduce costs through the Feed Ghana program under the Ministry of Agriculture. This program aims to provide sufficient maize and soybean to support fish feed production domestically.
Research and Innovation.: The ministry is enhancing partnerships with state institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to improve research and innovation in the sector. However, the minister acknowledged challenges with the development of the Akosombo strain of tilapia, promising to review and improve this initiative.
Biosecurity and Disease Control: The government is strengthening enforcement of biosecurity measures and disease control in fish farms, addressing concerns about smuggling of foreign fish species. A recent meeting of the Fisheries Enforcement Unit involved immigration and customs officials to better identify and prevent illegal importation of foreign fingerlings.
Regulatory Improvements: The ministry is working to streamline the licensing regime, creating a one-stop-shop approach to eliminate or minimize bureaucratic challenges faced by fish farmers who currently must obtain certifications from multiple agencies.
In a significant development, President Mahama has signed into law the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025, replacing the Fisheries Act 2002. This landmark legislation provides stronger and comprehensive provisions for regulating and promoting Ghana's aquaculture industry.
Crucially, the new law ensures aquaculture bodies are represented on the board of the Fisheries Commission, giving the sector a voice in policy decisions that affect their operations.
"It places aquaculture firmly at the center of our national development agenda, and we must all work together to ensure its full implementation," Minister Arthur emphasized.
The initiative is gaining traction in educational institutions, with Achimota School already writing to the ministry requesting support to start an aquaculture project. This institutional engagement demonstrates the potential for expanding aquaculture education and practice across Ghana's educational system.
Minister Arthur stressed that the success of the Tilapia and Catfish Friday initiative requires collective effort from all stakeholders, including government, farmers, marketers, consumers, institutions, and households.
"It is not the responsibility of the Ghana National Aquaculture Association alone," she stated. "Government, farmers, marketers, consumers, institutions and indeed, every household has a role to play."
The initiative is expected to generate significant economic and social benefits, particularly for women and youth who play critical roles in the aquaculture value chain. By creating sustainable employment opportunities and supporting small to medium-scale businesses, the program aligns with broader national development goals.
The campaign also addresses nutrition and health objectives by promoting consumption of high-quality protein at affordable prices, contributing to improved food security for Ghanaian households.
As Ghana embarks on this ambitious aquaculture development journey, the Tilapia and Catfish Friday initiative represents more than a consumption campaign—it symbolizes a strategic shift toward self-sufficiency in fish production and sustainable economic development.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has pledged continued support for the sector, promising to "be better, to do better, to support you in your line of work" as they work with private sector aquaculture farmers to achieve national food security goals.
With strong government backing, new legislation, and growing institutional support, Ghana's aquaculture sector appears positioned for significant expansion, potentially transforming the country from a fish importer to a regional leader in sustainable fish production.
The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other African nations facing similar challenges in meeting protein demands while building sustainable, locally-driven food systems.