UN Delegation Meets Ministry of Fisheries to Bolster Rights of Rural Fishers
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA) hosted the United Nations Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas to review Ghana’s progress in protecting the livelihoods of coastal and rural communities.
The meeting on May 11, 2025, formed part of the UN’s official mission to assess how Ghana is implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Rural Workers.
Strengthening the Legal Framework
Representing the Sector Minister, Hon. Emelia Arthur, the Director of Administration, Madam Rosemary Abbey, highlighted the pivotal role of the newly enacted Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146).
The Act serves as a robust shield for the industry, specifically designed to combat illegal Fishing by prohibiting destructive methods like light fishing, chemical use, and monofilament nets as well as protect resources by ensure sustainable exploitation of marine life through ecosystem-based management.
It is also envisioned to empower communities by enhancing the participation of local fishers in decision-making processes.
Enforcement and Sustainability
The UN delegation praised Ghana’s proactive stance against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Discussions centered on the enforcement of the Inshore Exclusion Zone, a critical measure to protect small-scale fishers from large industrial trawlers.
Madam Abbey acknowledged that while resource gaps exist, the Ministry is making significant strides through the Fisheries Enforcement Unit to strengthening intelligence and surveillance; Landing Beach Enforcement Committees to promotes community-led monitoring at the local level; and New Regulations on gear mesh sizes, fishing seasons, and landing requirements to ensure long-term sector stability.
A Commitment to Livelihoods
The UN Working Group commended the collaborative spirit between the government and stakeholders, noting that the fisheries sector remains a backbone of Ghana’s rural economy.
The Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring that the growth of the aquaculture industry does not come at the expense of the rights and welfare of the rural workers who sustain it.
Story by Linda Asare
