Statement By Hon. Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw in Commemoration of World
Fisheries Day 2025
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep humility and a profound sense of duty to speak on the occasion of World Fisheries Day 2025, under the timely and transformative theme: “Resetting Fisheries: Chief Fishermen and Fishmongers as Guardians and Partners in Sustainable Fisheries Management”.
This theme is a call to action. A call to reflection. A call to reimagine the future of our fisheries, not as a sector in crisis, but as a pillar of prosperity, culture, and ecological balance.
The Day was established in 1998 with the intention of paying tribute to fishers who, through their profession, provide a valuable service to society.
Mr. Speaker, Ghana’s fisheries sector is at a crossroads. For decades, our coastal and inland waters have nourished our people, sustained livelihoods, and anchored our cultural identity. Today, however, we face a stark reality, which includes, (i) Decline in fish stocks due to overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and climate change, (ii) Degraded marine ecosystems from pollution, mangrove destruction, and unsustainable practices, and (iii) Economic vulnerability among artisanal fishers and fishmongers, especially women, who form the backbone of post-harvest activities.
Mr. Speaker, if we do not act decisively, we risk not only the collapse of a vital industry but the erosion of a way of life.
Mr. Speaker, Ghana is in a reset phase. In the fisheries sector, “reset” is a call for recalibration of our relationship with the ocean, from one of declining hope and landings to one of stewardship. It means, rebuilding fish stocks through science-based management, investing in value addition, cold storage, and market access and above all, recognizing traditional leaders and fishmongers as coarchitects of sustainability.
Mr. Speaker, in every coastal and riparian community, the chief fisherman or headman is more than a leader, he is a living institution. He regulates access to fishing grounds, mediates disputes, enforces taboos, and preserves indigenous knowledge. Yet, in recent years, the authority of chief fishermen has been eroded by, weak integration into formal governance structures, encroachment by industrial trawlers and foreign vessels and the lack of legal recognition and logistical support.
Mr. Speaker, it is time to restore and retool the role of chief fishermen. Let us codify their roles in fisheries legislation, for they are not relics of the past but vanguards of the future.
Mr. Speaker, let us now turn to the fishmongers, predominantly women, who process, transport, and sell the fish that feed our nation. They are entrepreneurs who sustain local economies. However, they face limited access to low-cost financing credit, exposure to post-harvest losses due to lack of cold chains as well as ready markets.
Mr. Speaker, to reset fisheries, we must elevate fishmongers from the margins to the mainstream. This could be achieved by establishing and supporting cooperatives and revolving funds tailored to their needs.
Mr. Speaker, I foresee a strong partnership with the Women’s Bank.
Mr. Speaker, when we empower fishmongers, we empower families, markets, and the nation.
Mr. Speaker, resetting our fisheries requires more than rhetoric. It demands bold policy shifts and institutional reforms. We have a new law ACT 1146, It emphasizes Aqua culture to supplement reducing stocks from our Oceans. We should operationalize following:
1. Promote household aquaculture farms whose operations are codified and recognizes traditional authorities, gender roles and local knowledge.
2. Expand the Canoe Identification and Monitoring System (CIS) to curb IUU fishing.
3. Support for the establishment of more Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) co-managed by communities and chief fishermen.
4. Integrate climate resilience into fisheries planning, including nature-based solutions to coastal issues, mangrove restoration and early warning systems.
5. Promote Public-private partnerships to develop fish landing sites, cold storage, and value chains.
Mr. Speaker, Ghana is being watched. Our actions can inspire other coastal nations. Let us lead by example by honouring our traditional leaders not just in ceremony, but in strategy and In Action!
Let us listen. Let us act. Let us reset.
Let this World Fisheries Day 2025 be remembered not just as a commemoration, but as a turning point.
We should consider adopting an integrated multi-sectoral policy framework……
Let’s deliberately strengthen coordination between national and regional agencies
Let’s invest in data systems for evidence-based oversight
Let’s ensure broader stakeholder inclusion in our policy process
Let us reset. Let us rebuild. Let us transform our fishery for transformation!
Thank You
By Hon. Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw , Member of Parliament for Wa East, and Chairman of the Agric and Cocoa Affairs Committee of Parliament
