The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing an amount of $24 million funding to restore Ghana’s coastal fisheries, say the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson.
She explained that the purpose of the funding was targeted at improving ocean conservation along the coastal areas as well as driving positive change across the entire fisheries value chain.
Mrs Koomson said this in a speech read on her behalf on Tuesday in Accra at a stakeholder’s symposium aimed at promoting hygienic and high-quality fish for Ghanaians.
It brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, industry-academia, and community representatives to discuss and address the critical issues surrounding fish safety and sustainability in Ghana.
Mrs Koomson stated that the USAID, through the United States government, was the largest bilateral development partner of the government, stressing that in 2023, bilateral assistance from the USAID was over $140 million.
She explained that the $140 million was used to support the Ghanaian economy in areas but not limited to agriculture, education, economic growth, and governance, which had witnessed positive results in the economy.
She added that through government assistance from the USAID, the fishing industry had witnessed some positive developments, such as appropriate handling and processing methods to maintain fish quality.
Furthermore, Mrs Koomson indicated that the Ministry, in partnership with USAID, was working closely with key stakeholders to clamp down on illegal fishing practices, which threatened public health and as well undermined the foundation of the country’s fisheries sector.
She mentioned that a post-harvest management and trade programme of the Fisheries Commission (FC) was also ensuring fishermen practice sustainability, and preserve marine and inland resources in order to ensure the availability of safe and hygienic fish.
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