By Laudia Sawer
Tema, Jan. 17, GNA – Stakeholders in the fisheries sector say the appointment of women consecutively to head the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) symbolises progress in the sector.
President John Dramani Mahama announced the appointment of Madam Emelia Arthur as the MoFAD designate minister, making her the third consecutive female minister, with her predecessors being Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson and Madam Elizabeth Afoley Quaye.
Mr. Jerome Deamesi, a Board Member of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA), and Nana Kweigyah, the National President of the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
Mr. Deamesi said, “I think it is a positive development. Women’s leadership can bring diverse perspectives and foster inclusive decision-making, which is crucial for addressing the complex issues in the fisheries sector.”
He added that women’s leadership in the fishing sector might also inspire more gender balance in the traditionally male-dominated industry.
Nana Kweigyah, on his part, emphasised that “Women play vital role in the fisheries value chain, and so being a woman herself, her appointment symbolizes progress toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable approach to fisheries management and governance.
Touching on their expectations from the minister designate when confirmed by Parliament, the CaFGOAG national president noted that the challenges confronting the fisheries sector were enormous, affecting the sector’s productivity and negatively impacting fisheries livelihoods and coastal communities.
He said overfishing had been reported for over a decade, requiring the greatest foresight and commitment to address it.
“Fishers expect that Hon. Emelia Arthur will leverage fisheries co-management and technology and integrate indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge to combat the widespread illegalities and other unsustainable fishing practices to quicken fish stock recovery. Promoting responsible fishing must be a top priority, and fishers’ associations have key roles to play,” he said.
He added that even though conservation had become necessary, and measures were being pursued, related human rights issues affecting artisanal fishers must be looked at since they had not been given any serious attention.
“We look forward to the minister prioritising inclusive decisions and committing to addressing human rights issues in the artisanal sector. We also expect her to call back the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill and allow for fishers’ inputs to strengthen the bill,” he stated.
CaFGOAG, he said, also expects her to keep to the promises of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to fishers to maintain and improve fishers’ trust in the policies of the government.
Mr. Deamesi, on his part, expressed the hope that the minister-designate would bring a proactive approach to addressing the sector’s challenges, especially in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, improving regulatory frameworks, and supporting sustainable practices.
“The nominee’s stance on industry concerns like the closed season for artisanal fishers and implementation of the Electronic Monitoring System will also be closely watched,” he added.
GNA