Ghana has launched its first National Aquaculture Development Plan (GNADP) to guide the systematic and sustainable development of the aquaculture value chain in the country.
The GNADP covers a five year period (2013 to 2018) and will cost US$85m. It aims to improve environmental sustainability and social acceptability of Ghana’s fish farm enterprises.
When successfully implemented, it is expected to increase aquaculture production from the current 27,750 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes and will generate an estimated 220,000 jobs across the supply chain.
The plan will cover activities such as the provision of basic infrastructure to high priority aquaculture zones and support for the development of improved fish and other aquaculture organisms’ seed to fish farmers.
It will also focus on the creation of high potential aquaculture zones, especially Volta Lake, which was recently littered with haphazard cages. The government of Ghana says such activities are precursors to conflicts over territories as well as potential risks to the spread of fish diseases among fish farms.
The Ministry will now submit a proposal for a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to kick-start the plan.
