Political scientist and Head of the Centre for European Studies at the University of Ghana Dr. Kwame Asah Asante has raised significant concerns about the performance and policy direction of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
In a detailed critique, he highlighted the lapses in policy implementation, market development, and evaluation systems within the ministry.
His remarks call for urgent structural reforms to transform the sector into a viable contributor to national economic growth and employment creation.
Dr. Asah Asante criticized the ministry for failing to sustain an ambitious aquaculture program initiated by the previous administration.
According to him, past regimes sought to empower citizens by providing the necessary resources for backyard fish farming. He recounted;
“They were given even seed, with some taking as many as 100 bags. One bag of fish feed costs almost 400 Ghana cedis depending on the type, and the cost of one fingerling ranges from 2 to 3 Ghana cedis. It was a brilliant program aimed at addressing unemployment.’’
Dr. Kwame Asah Asante Political Scientist, University of Ghana
He argued that the program’s success depended on a well-developed market strategy, which the ministry failed to provide. “When you produce the fish, who is there to buy? That is the main headache of farmers,” he stressed.
Dr. Asah Asante identified the absence of marketing strategies as the root cause of the ministry’s struggles. He explained that many fish farmers, after investing time and resources into fish production, were unable to sell their produce. He queried;
“All these good things you have done, and you are dependent on one lady who buys and comes at her convenience. I told the ministry that they must sit up and find sustainable solutions to this.’’
Dr. Kwame Asah Asante Political Scientist, University of Ghana
Dr. Asah Asante proposed that the government should invest in infrastructure and logistics to create sustainable market systems for aquaculture.
He suggested that vans should be provided to collect fish directly from farmers, value should be added through processing, and excess produce could be exported. He emphasized; “If done effectively, this can create jobs and remove many unemployed youths from the streets.’’
A major flaw in the ministry’s operations, according to Dr. Asah Asante, is the lack of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
He pointed out that the absence of these systems has left the ministry unaware of the challenges faced by fish farmers and the inefficiencies in policy implementation.
“This would have been obvious to a ministry that has a monitoring and evaluation department. But from what we glean from yesterday’s [Wednesday] meeting, it tells you there is nothing like that.’’
“If there is a monitoring system and a system that evaluates, obviously, they will pick signals. But the absence of these systems has rendered the program ineffective.’’
Dr. Kwame Asah Asante Political Scientist, University of Ghana
Recommendations for Reforms
Dr. Asah Asante called on the newly appointed leadership of the Ministry of Aquaculture to implement comprehensive reforms. He reiterated;
“The new regime must tie marketing to their programs. It is common sense that they do that. Otherwise, the whole program will be an exercise in futility.’’
Dr. Kwame Asah Asante Political Scientist, University of Ghana
Additionally, he suggested that the ministry should prioritize value addition and exportation as part of its long-term strategy. He suggested;
“Government must give vans to people, go around the city of Accra, let people buy the fish, put them in a cold house, add value, and export what you want to export. I tell you; you will get a lot of youth off the street.’’
Dr. Kwame Asah Asante Political Scientist, University of Ghana
Dr. Asah Asante also expressed disappointment with the parliamentary vetting process for nominees responsible for the Ministry of Aquaculture.
He observed that critical issues, such as the lack of market access for fish farmers, were not adequately addressed during the vetting process of Hon. Emelia Authur – Minister of Aquatic culture.
He suggested that the vetting panel was either fatigued or inadequately informed about the critical issues affecting the sector.
Dr. Kwame Asah Asante’s critique highlights the systemic challenges within the Ministry of Aquaculture, particularly the lack of market access, monitoring systems, and comprehensive policies. He queried;
“The ministry must not deceive itself into believing that it is encouraging people to engage in aquaculture when there are no resources or market systems to sustain their efforts.’’
Dr. Kwame Asah Asante Political Scientist, University of Ghana
He has urged the ministry to address these issues urgently to ensure that the aquaculture sector fulfills its potential in creating jobs and contributing to the economy.
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