By Laudia Sawer
Tema, Jan. 24, GNA – The National Executive Committee of the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) has commended Madam Emelia Arthur, the Minister-designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), for acknowledging the importance of indigenous fishing knowledge.
The Minister-designate, who has just been approved by Parliament, had said during her vetting that there was a need to marry indigenous fishing knowledge with scientific practices, to improve the country’s fisheries sector.
Nana Kweigyah, the National President of CaFGOAG, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that as stewards of coastal and marine resources, artisanal fishers welcomed her acknowledgment of the critical role that indigenous knowledge played in fisheries management.
“Indigenous knowledge is not only practical but deeply rooted in cultural and environmental stewardship,” he said.
He said by combining indigenous practices and scientific knowledge, Ghana could shape its policies to strengthen sustainability, promote adaptive strategies to build resilience to climate impacts, and promote equity, ensuring that the voices of coastal communities were valued and respected in decision-making processes.
CaFGOAG congratulated Madam Arthur for the impressive performance at the vetting, saying her recognition of the value of integrating indigenous practices with scientific knowledge in fisheries management espoused during the vetting, and her assurances to work with stakeholders to develop the fisheries sector and improve Ghana’s fish production, were highly commendable.
Nana Kweigyah said these assurances, he said, were both encouraging and timely as Ghana faced increasing challenges in ensuring the sustainability of the livelihoods of fishers and marine ecosystems.
“CaFGOAG also deem the minister’s assurances of improving supply and management of premix fuel, getting financial support for women fish processors and traders, and operationalising the Anomabo Fisheries College as a very welcoming news.
“These efforts will contribute greatly to the development of the small-scale fisheries sub-sector,” he added.
Nana Kweigyah indicated that given these assurances, CaFGOAG was recommending that when sworn into office, the Minister must ensure the active participation of small-scale fishers in the formulation and implementation of policies.
He further called on her to support the development of fishers’ associations and strengthen local Co-management structures, including the Landing Beach Enforcement Committees and the Regional Small Pelagic Co-Management Committees (SPCCs).
The CaFGOAG executives also asked for the support of initiatives including the Creating Synergy between Indigenous Practices and Scientific Knowledge (ISIPSK) project, to document indigenous knowledge systems and integrate them into national fisheries management frameworks.
He said CaFGOAG looked forward to genuine collaboration between the government, fishing communities, and the scientific community to work towards a thriving fisheries sector that balanced ecological health with economic growth.
GNA