Ghana's Fisheries Commission — regulatory body overseeing fisheries management, marine resources protection, and co-management committees under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025.
… The provision requires a person planning an activity, other than fishing, that is likely to have a substantial impact on fishery or other aquatic resources to inform the Fisheries Commission before the activity begins. …
INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT: BEYOND A DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS The Fisheries Commission’s objection to the reported grant of an offshore reconnaissance licence to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd, covering approximately 10,000 square kilometres of Ghana’s shallow continenta …
… The initiative, established in collaboration with Mundus Maris and supported by Blue Ventures, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fisheries Commission, provides a platform for fishers and other industry players to identify challenges confronting the sector and deve …
… The Fisheries Commission’s 2025 Annual Performance Report, they said, recorded 282,658.29 metric tonnes of artisanal fish landings, representing 63.68 per cent of total landings. …
… The CSOs also cited the Fisheries Commission’s 2025 Annual Performance Report, which recorded 282,658.29 metric tonnes of artisanal fish landings, representing 63.68 per cent of total fish landings. …
Members of the newly inaugurated FMOC were sworn in at a brief ceremony in Accra The Governing Board of the Fisheries Commission has inaugurated two national-level fisheries co-management committees to strengthen participatory, science-based and coordinated fisheries management u …
… shops and conferences over the years, she noted that they had addressed numerous challenges and offered recommendations which had contributed to key national initiatives and institutions like the CSIR. Professor Benjamin B Campion, the Executive Director of Fisheries Commission …
The Governing Board of the Fisheries Commission (FC), with support from GFRA — Global Fisheries and Resilience Action under the Inshore Exclusion Zone Enforcement and Transparency (IEZET) Project, has inaugurated two national-level fisheries co-management committees: the Scientif …
Deputy Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Eric Cobbinah, has outlined the scale of the government’s Big Push road programme, which comprises 50 new projects covering about 1,144 kilometres at an estimated cost of GH¢50 billion. …
The National Fisheries Association of Ghana has petitioned the government to suspend an offshore reconnaissance licence granted to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd. for gold exploration along the continental shelf, citing concerns about potential impacts on fisheries resources, marine habitats, and coastal livelihoods, and questioning whether the licensed area overlaps the Inshore Exclusion Zone.
The National Fisheries Association of Ghana has petitioned the government to suspend an offshore reconnaissance licence granted to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd. for gold exploration along the continental shelf, citing concerns about potential impacts on fisheries resources, marine habitats, and coastal livelihoods, and questioning whether the licensed area overlaps the Inshore Exclusion Zone.
Ghana's Fisheries Commission objects to an offshore reconnaissance licence covering approximately 10,000 square kilometres of the continental shelf granted to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd, arguing that terrestrial mining regulations cannot adequately govern marine extractive activity and that marine-specific environmental and socioeconomic assessments are required.
Ghana's Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association is expanding its Small-Scale Fisheries Academy from eight to 20 fishing communities across the country's four coastal regions, in collaboration with Mundus Maris and supported by Blue Ventures, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Fisheries Commission. The expansion aims to give fishing communities greater ownership of efforts to protect and sustain Ghana's fisheries resources by ensuring fishers are at the centre of decisions affecting the industry.
Civil Society Organisations working in fisheries and coastal sectors have urged the government to review offshore gold reconnaissance activities along Ghana's western continental coast, citing concerns over implications for fisheries, marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods. GoldCoast Resource Corp. holds 10 offshore reconnaissance licences covering approximately 10,000 square kilometres extending about 300 kilometres along the coast between Half-Assini and Winneba, with portions potentially overlapping Ghana's Inshore Exclusion Zone.
A coalition of civil society organisations has called on President Mahama to urgently review 10 offshore gold reconnaissance licences held by Gold Coast Resource Corp., citing concerns over Ghana's fisheries, marine environment and coastal livelihoods. The licences cover about 10,000 square kilometres along 300 kilometres of Ghana's coastline, with CSOs warning that substantial portions may fall within Ghana's Inshore Exclusion Zone.
Ghana's 2018 decommissioning of the Mr. Louie platform in the Saltpond oil field cost $200 million partly because the Fisheries Commission was not formally involved, leaving no biological baseline assessment before work began and fishermen sidelined from the process. As Ghana faces bigger decommissioning bills ahead—$704 million for Jubilee alone, plus TEN and Sankofa—the article argues the Fisheries Commission must be included in future operations to ensure marine ecosystem recovery.
The Fisheries Commission's Governing Board inaugurated the Scientific and Technical Committee and the Fisheries Management Operational Committee on September 15, 2026, to strengthen participatory, science-based and coordinated fisheries management under Ghana's new fisheries law.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has asked the Ghana Science Association and research community to develop science-based solutions to protect Ghana's ocean and secure livelihoods, proposing a joint technical body to address stock assessment, climate adaptation, and coastal resilience amid threats from illegal mining and destructive fishing.
Ghana's Fisheries Commission has inaugurated two national-level co-management committees — the Scientific and Technical Committee and the Fisheries Management Operational Committee — to strengthen participatory, science-based fisheries management under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025.
Ghana's government has outlined a Big Push road programme comprising 50 new projects covering 1,144 kilometres valued at GH¢50 billion and 23 inherited projects covering 573 kilometres valued at GH¢15 billion, totalling nearly 2,000 kilometres earmarked for rehabilitation. The programme is intended to reduce travel time and transport costs, improve access to markets and healthcare, support agricultural production, and create jobs across the country.
The Fisheries Commission warns that galamsey is destroying wetlands suitable for fish farming and forcing some farm operators to close, particularly in Obuasi and surrounding communities. The Commission expresses concern that young people are turning to environmentally degrading activities instead of pursuing agriculture and fisheries opportunities.
Scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute have developed an integrated aquaculture-agriculture system that converts nutrient-rich wastewater from fish production into input for crop production. Trials have demonstrated good yields in crops like cucumbers, with the approach helping to reduce pollution and address environmental and health risks associated with wastewater use in farming.
Karpowership Ghana organised a capacity-building training for fishermen and fishmongers from Sekondi and Essikado covering environmental safety awareness, fire prevention, hygienic fish handling and financial management, in partnership with the Ghana National Fire Service, Fisheries Commission and Fidelity Bank.
The Fisheries Commission's Deputy Executive Director has called on Gulf of Guinea countries to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to attract international funding for ocean conservation and coastal community livelihoods. He warned that countries risk losing critical funding if they fail to generate and share credible information.
The Wenchi Zonal Director of the Fisheries Commission says illegal mining around water bodies, particularly at the Bui Dam Reservoir, is causing fish production to decline in the Bono Region. She attributed the decline to chemicals used by illegal miners that have exterminated fish and affected water quality, and called for stronger law enforcement to curb galamsey activities.
Thirty small-scale fisher participants from Ghana's four coastal regions have pledged to help fellow fishers understand the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act in their communities and to establish monthly dialogue platforms with chief fishermen, canoe owners, and other fishing industry actors to identify solutions to landing-beach challenges and raise concerns with the Ministry and Fisheries Commission.
Thirty fishers and industry stakeholders from Ghana's four coastal regions underwent training under the maiden Small-Scale Fisheries Academy to promote dialogue and co-management in fishing communities. Participants—including chief fishermen, canoe owners, fish processors, and Fisheries Commission officials—were equipped with facilitation skills for community engagement and inclusive fisheries management.
Fisheries Without Borders held a capacity-building workshop for fishermen, processors, community leaders and marine scientists at NAFAG to strengthen sustainable fisheries management amid climate change and declining fish stocks. The initiative involves Ghana, Nigeria and Benin, with Ghana's marine landings having fallen from about 900,000 tonnes to approximately 400,000 tonnes over three decades, prompting calls for community-centred co-management approaches.
The Auditor-General's report on Ghana's Ministries, Departments, and Agencies found financial irregularities totaling GH¢5.27 billion in 2025, up from GH¢2.06 billion in 2024, with tax infractions accounting for GH¢4.8 billion of the total. The report states the entire amount is recoverable, with government institutions and individuals responsible potentially compelled to refund the money or face surcharge and legal action.
Fisheries Without Borders held a capacity-building workshop for fishermen, processors, community leaders and marine scientists in Ghana as part of a regional initiative with Nigeria and Benin to address declining fish stocks in the Gulf of Guinea through collaborative fisheries management. Marine landings in Ghana have dropped from about 900,000 tonnes to approximately 400,000 tonnes over three decades, pressuring food security and the livelihoods of more than two million people in the fisheries value chain.
The Fisheries Commission in Ashanti Region is engaging Senior High School students in practical aquaculture training through the "Youth in Aquaculture" programme, which aims to develop future professionals, boost local fish production, and reduce imports. The initiative aligns with the government's School Farm Initiative to utilise school lands and create employment opportunities for young people.
Ghana's new Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146) introduces stronger maritime protections including an expanded Inshore Exclusive Zone from six to twelve nautical miles and transparency requirements in beneficial ownership to combat illegal fishing and strengthen the blue economy.
Fish catches are declining along Ghana's coast as fishers and processors report changes in the sea, with scientists pointing to warming oceans as a rising threat alongside overfishing and illegal practices. In April 2021, fish washed ashore along parts of Ghana's coastline with dead dolphins; the fisheries commission's preliminary investigations pointed to environmental stressors including elevated sea temperatures, oxygen depletion and pollution.
The National Petroleum Authority and Western Naval Command destroyed eight jumbo canoes confiscated during an anti-fuel bunkering operation at Poase and New Takoradi Beach on March 31, 2026. The NPA CEO warned that authorities will intensify crackdowns on illegal fuel bunkering to protect consumers and prevent revenue losses to the state.
The National House of Chiefs has rejected a Constitutional Review Committee recommendation to merge the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) with the Lands Commission, arguing that OASL should remain independent because it was created to improve management of stool land revenue, ensure transparency and accountability, and protect traditional authorities' land interests — purposes that would be compromised under the Lands Commission.
Ghana's Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth rose to 111.3 in February 2026 from 103.3 in February 2025, recording a 7.7 per cent growth rate. The services sector accounted for 47.6 per cent of expansion, industry contributed 44.2 per cent, while agriculture and net indirect taxes contributed 5.5 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.
Ghana's economy expanded by 7.7 percent in February 2026, nearly double the 3.9 percent growth from February 2025, driven by strong performances in the industry and services sectors. The Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth showed industry growing at 9.6 percent and services at 7.4 percent, though agriculture slowed to 3.8 percent.
Ghana's Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth rose to 111.3 in February 2026 from 103.3 in February 2025, representing a 7.7 percent expansion. The services sector led growth at 47.6 percent contribution, followed by industry at 44.2 percent and agriculture at 5.5 percent, with the industry sector recording the strongest sectoral growth at 9.6 percent.
The government has granted a provisional licence to Gold Coast Mariculture Limited for Ghana's first mariculture project, which will cultivate high-value marine species including Cobia, Red Snapper, and Pompano. The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture described the project as a major milestone in diversifying Ghana's blue economy through sustainable aquaculture development.
Dwindling fish stocks in Ghana's Volta Region have left fishing-dependent families, particularly women fishmongers, struggling to survive as catches decline due to climate change and overfishing. Small pelagic species stocks have fallen to less than 10 per cent of early 1990s levels over the past three decades, driving prices sharply higher and cutting off household incomes.