Gov’t targets aquaculture expansion to address 500,000-tonne fish supply gap – Finance Minister

The government plans to expand aquaculture production and restore marine and inland fisheries as part of efforts to address Ghana’s annual fish supply gap of about 500,000 metric tonnes.

The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, announced the measures while presenting the 2027 Budget in Parliament on Thursday, November 12.

He said aquaculture would become the principal source of new fish supply, with commercial and smallholder operators receiving support to increase production.

“Mr Speaker, Ghana has an annual estimated fish supply gap of about 500,000 metric tonnes. Mr Speaker, this is not acceptable. We will fix this,” he said.

Under the plan, the Minister said that aquaculture clusters will receive quality broodstock, fingerlings, feed, cages, ponds, tanks, aquatic health laboratories and systems for disease surveillance and water quality management.

Dr Forson said the government would also provide access to patient financing and insurance to help responsible aquaculture operators expand their businesses.

He added that fish production would be linked to cold-chain facilities, hygienic processing, testing, transportation and assured markets to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the distribution of fish.

The government also plans to establish modern fish villages and landing sites across the country.

On fisheries management, the Finance Minister said measures would be introduced to tackle illegal fishing, strengthen the licensing regime and involve local communities in protecting the country's fisheries resources.

“We will increase fish supply without destroying the resources on which future supply depends,” he said.