By Laudia Sawer
Tema, Jan. 17, GNA – The Fisheries Alliance, a civil society organisation on fisheries, has indicated that Madam Emelia Arthur, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFAD) minister designate, is very qualified for the position.
“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.”
Mr. Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, the convener for Fisheries Alliance, reacting to the appointment of Madam Arthur by President John Dramani Mahama to the position, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that stakeholders in the sector were looking forward to working with her when approved to deliver the important policies in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto on fisheries.
Mr. Yamoah, who is also the convener for the Ghana Civil Society Organisations Platform on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (CSOs SDG 14 Platform), stated, “We know Hon. Emelia Arthur would be able to deliver because she has extensive experience in fisheries, agriculture, natural resources management and gender inclusion.”
He added that the minister designate has worked with fisheries stakeholders and various non-governmental organisations in Ghana, particularly when she was the Deputy Regional Minister for the Western Region, and the Shama District Chief Executive.
He further said Madam Arthur had been involved in supporting initiatives related to the fisheries sector in Ghana and advocated for the construction of state-of-the-art fishing harbours and fish
processing plants, an indication of 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 and fishers and enhance agricultural development in the area,” he said.
Mr. Yamoah added that the minister-designate also established the Integrated Agricultural Development Initiative (IADI), which has several key goals aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
These goals, he said, included boosting food security, promoting sustainable farming and fishing practices, increasing farmers and fishers’ incomes, providing training and resources to enhance the skills and knowledge of farmers and fishers, particularly women and youth, and the strengthening of agricultural and fisheries value chains.
He reiterated that the fisheries stakeholders look forward to implementing the NDC’s manifesto policies, such as the Mo-NE-YO initiative to promote the uptake of special pension schemes for informal sector workers, including fishermen.
Other policies are to 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 the country’s marine and freshwater resources.
Mr. Yamoah said they expected to see the provision of resources to support research and development in the fisheries sector, enforcement of laws to sustain fish stock and fishing practices, improvement of education in fishing communities and development of alternative livelihoods for fisher folks to enhance their well-being and reduce pressure on fish stocks, and support Landing Beach Committees to create Fisheries Services Center (FiSC) to supply necessary equipment and services to fisher folks.
GNA