Gov’t Partners with Cerath Development to Empower 1.6 Million Women in Fisheries Sector
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has begun a strategic partnership with the Cerath Development Organisation to empower more than 1.6 million women working in Ghana’s fisheries sector through a seven-year programme running from 2026 to 2032.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, held a high-level meeting with representatives of the Cerath Development Organisation to discuss the implementation of the “Empowering Women in Ghana’s Fisheries Sector” initiative.
The programme is funded by the Co-Impact Gender Fund and will be implemented in close collaboration with the Fisheries Commission.
The initiative targets long-standing inequalities affecting women in the fisheries value chain, particularly in the post-harvest sector where women play a dominant role as fish processors, traders, helpers and carriers.
Although men are mainly involved in fish harvesting, women remain the backbone of post-harvest fisheries activities across coastal and inland fishing communities.
However, many continue to face unfair working conditions, limited access to finance, inadequate support systems and gender-based barriers in the allocation of resources.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Emelia Arthur said the initiative aligns strongly with the Government of Ghana’s broader vision of building a resilient, inclusive and sustainable blue economy.
“Our post-harvest fisheries management system must be modernised, and that begins with empowering the women who form its backbone,” the Minister stated.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to transforming the fisheries and aquaculture sector into a sustainable, highly competitive, and job-creating industry that leaves no one behind.”
The Minister noted that empowering women in fisheries is not only a gender equality issue but also a critical economic and food security priority.
She emphasised that women’s contribution to fish processing, distribution and marketing remains central to sustaining households, communities and local economies.
The programme is expected to directly improve livelihood opportunities and financial independence for women in the sector.
It will also strengthen women’s leadership, enhance their decision-making power and support advocacy for increased national budgetary allocation to post-harvest fisheries management systems.
Stakeholders say the intervention will promote inclusive growth by improving access to financial resources, strengthening institutional support and creating a more enabling environment for women-led fisheries enterprises.
By bringing together government leadership, development expertise and international funding support, the partnership is positioned to make a significant impact on poverty reduction, national food security and climate resilience.
It is also expected to contribute to the modernisation of Ghana’s post-harvest fisheries system, while enhancing the socio-economic resilience of fishing communities across the country.
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