Accra, July 16, GNA – For more than four decades, 45-year-old Maame Kakraba earned a living through one of Ghana’s most demanding but often overlooked livelihoods—fish dressing and trading.
The mother of four dedicated her life to buying, processing, and selling fish, a trade she learned from her mother, and it has sustained her family through the years.
Speaking on Episode Seven of At the Table with Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Maame Kakraba shared her inspiring journey of resilience, hard work, and commitment to providing for her children despite the many challenges associated with the business.
“I started this work with my mother, and it has been more than 40 years now. This is the only work I know and the only work I do,” she said.
Fish dressing requires skill, patience, and experience. According to Maame Kakraba, it is not a task that just anyone can perform.
“It is very difficult. If you are not experienced, you cannot even peel off the outer layer properly. It takes years of practice,” she explained.
Beyond selling fresh fish, she also processes fish through salting, a traditional preservation method that extends shelf life and creates products widely sold in markets across Accra, Cape Coast, and other parts of Ghana.
Although the business provides her a livelihood, it is not without challenges. Seasonal shortages of fish significantly impact prices, hence affordability. That makes it difficult for traders to make meaningful profits.
“When fish is out of season, what’s available becomes very expensive. Sometimes I buy one for about GHC150 and can only sell it for GHC160, making just a few cedis in profit. Many customers also refuse to buy because of the high prices,” she explained.
She noted that during periods of scarcity, prices can rise sharply, with some fish selling for as much as GHC200.
While higher prices may appear profitable to outsiders, she explained that the increased cost of purchasing the fish leaves traders with very little profit.
Despite these challenges, Maame Kakraba remains grateful that the business has enabled her to raise her four children—two boys and two girls. Today, her eldest daughter is married and living in Takoradi, while her other children have also moved on, leaving her to care for herself and her grandchildren.
Asked whether she would encourage others to venture into the business, her answer was an emphatic yes.
“I encourage anyone who is interested to start. We are currently in the octopus season, and it is very profitable. Hausa traders buy in large quantities and resell to Chinese buyers, creating a good market for those in the business.”
Interestingly, despite spending more than 40 years handling sharp knives daily, Maame Kakraba says she has never suffered a serious cut while working.
“You have to be careful. This is my work, so I know how to handle it. Someone who is inexperienced may easily get injured,” she said.
Her story reflects the determination and resilience of countless women working quietly across Ghana’s fisheries value chain. Through years of dedication, she has transformed a traditional family trade into a dependable source of income, proving that with skill, patience, and perseverance, even the most demanding occupations can provide dignity and support for generations.
At the Table with Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa is a public interest programme by Agrihouse Foundation and its sister company, AgriWatchGH, in partnership with the World Food Forum Ghana Chapter, as part of activities commemorating the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
The initiative seeks to spotlight the stories, challenges, achievements, and contributions of women farmers across Ghana while creating awareness and mobilizing support for their critical role in agriculture and national development.
Agrihouse Foundation encourages individuals, organizations, and development partners to support the women farmers and this public interest programme through their contacts: Linda Boateng: 020 952 9627, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa: 024 462 3012, or Email: [email protected].
GNA
Published by George Agboklu