The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is to develop an aquatic animal health Policy to address challenges in the sector. It will ensure safe fish farming in Ghana.

The policy will include the prosecution of operators in the industry who engage in illegal activities such as the importation and growing of unapproved fish species. A draft on the policy is currently before the cabinet.

Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, The Minister of Fisheries, stated this during the inauguration of a 14-member national committee on aquaculture. He added that; “The policy will serve as a direction on how to handle aquaculture in Ghana. Currently, there is no policy and prosecution of offenders.”

The terms of reference for the committee includes the provision of relevant policy options to the ministry to accelerate Aquaculture Development in the country while minimising its negative effects on the environment.

It is also to help streamline and possibly harmonise procedures and processes for the acquisition of permits from aquaculture regulatory agencies and explore ways of providing affordable capital for investment along the aquaculture value chain.

Moreover, they are also to help develop a new medium-term plan to replace the Ghana national aquaculture development plan.

They are further expected to provide practical solutions for the implementation of zonation for aquaculture on the Volta Lake under a West Africa Regional Fisheries Project.

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