Adnan Adams Mohammed
Stakeholders in the fisheries sector have commended President John Mahama and the NDC-led government for maintaining the Ministry of Fisheries.
The stakeholders also extended appreciation to the president for nominating, Hon Emelia Arthur as the Fisheries Minister designate.
The Covener of Fisheries Alliance, Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, described the nominee as well qualified in that capacity.
“We look forward to working with Hon. Emelia Arthur, when she is approved to deliver the important policies in the NDC manifesto on fisheries”, Mr Yamoah indicated in a statement.
Read statement below:
Open letter to the President. H.E. John Mahama
Mr. President, Fisheries Stakeholders Appreciate your Commitment to the Fisheries Sector
We thank Mr. President for maintaining the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and nominating a very qualified minister designate Hon. Emelia Arthur for the sector
Your Excellency, this shows your commitment to developing the fisheries sector and we are very much appreciative of this commitment.
We look forward to working with Hon. Emelia Arthur, when she is approved to deliver the important policies in the NDC manifesto on fisheries including:
· Mo-NE-YO initiative to promote the uptake of special pension schemes for informal sector workers that includes fishermen.
· Revitalize, the fisheries and aquaculture sector and promote the development of the Blue Economy through the establishment of the Blue Economy Commission to sustainably harness and regulate our marine and freshwater resources
· Provide resources to support research and development in the fisheries sector
· Enforce laws to sustain fish stock and fishing practices
· Improve education in fishing communities and develop alternative livelihoods for fisher folks to improve their well-being and reduce pressure on fish stocks.
· Support landing beach Committees to create Fisheries Services Center (FiSC) to supply necessary equipment and services to fisher folks.
We know Hon. Emelia Arthur, will be able to deliver because she has extensive experience in fisheries, agriculture, natural resources management and gender inclusion. She has worked with fisheries stakeholders and various NGOs and stakeholders in Ghana, particularly in her role as Deputy Regional Minister and the Shama District Chief Executive. Hon Emelia Arthur has been involved in supporting initiatives related to the fisheries sector in Ghana. She advocated for the construction of state-of-the-art fishing harbors and fish processing plants, indicating her commitment to enhancing the industry and creating job opportunities. She has been involved in various initiatives, including the establishment of an Agriculture Support Scheme to benefit local farmers, fishers and enhance agricultural development in the area.
Hon. Emelia Arthur established the IADI (Integrated Agricultural Development Initiative) which has several key goals aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. These include:
Boosting Food Security: Ensuring that communities have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food through improved agricultural and fishing practices.
Promoting Sustainable Farming and fishing Practices: Encouraging environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural and fishing methods to protect natural resources.
Increasing Farmer and fisher Incomes: Supporting farmers and fishers in increasing their yields and accessing markets to enhance their income potential.
Empowering Farmers and Fishers: Providing training and resources to enhance the skills and knowledge of farmers and fishers, particularly women and youth.
Strengthening Agricultural and Fisheries Value Chains: Creating a more efficient agricultural system by connecting farmers and fishers with suppliers, processors, and markets.
Facilitating Access to Finance: Helping farmers, fishers and agricultural businesses access funding and credit facilities to invest in their operations.
Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah
Convener:
Fisheries Alliance / CSOs SDG 14 Platform
