Ghana’s growing demand for fish and persistent youth unemployment are creating an opportunity for young people to establish businesses in the aquaculture sector, with women increasingly being positioned to participate in the industry through skills development and enterprise support.
One initiative seeking to bridge this gap is Urban Blue, an aquaculture training programme by Newage Agric Solutions Ltd., implemented under the SAWA Programme, co-created by Agri-Impact and the Mastercard Foundation.
The initiative seeks to equip young women aged 18 to 35 with practical knowledge and resources to establish their own catfish production businesses.
The programme adopts an enterprise-oriented approach that moves participants beyond conventional vocational training towards business ownership. Its model, described as Online, Field and Enterprise, combines digital learning, practical farm experience and post-training support to help participants transition into independent aquaculture entrepreneurs.
“We are not creating trainees; we are creating income earners.”
Newage Agri Solution Ltd
Aquaculture an Economic Opportunity
The initiative comes against the backdrop of Ghana’s dependence on imported fish and the need to expand domestic production to meet growing consumption requirements.
According to World Bank World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) data, Ghana imported approximately US$201.1 million worth of fish and other aquatic products in 2024.
The import expenditure highlights the commercial opportunities available to domestic producers to increase local supply, retain more value within the economy and reduce dependence on foreign markets.
The National Development Planning Commission’s 2024 Annual Progress Report also indicates that Ghana spent approximately GH¢1.26 billion on frozen fish imports during the year.
Aquaculture production reached about 121,809 metric tonnes, compared with 116,108 metric tonnes in 2023, although output remained below the national target of 145,500 metric tonnes.
The figures demonstrate the potential for aquaculture businesses to contribute to closing the domestic supply gap, particularly through commercially viable fish farming operations that can serve local markets.
Catfish production offers an entry point for aspiring entrepreneurs because it can be undertaken on relatively small plots of land using tanks and other controlled production systems.
Backyard aquaculture can therefore provide an alternative business model for young people who may not have access to extensive agricultural land.
Digital and Practical Skills to Address Aquaculture Gap
The Urban Blue’s training structure is designed to address the gap between acquiring agricultural knowledge and applying it commercially.
The programme’s second phase for Batch Two was recently completed, following a two week online learning programme delivered through the Newage E-learning Platform.
During Phase One, participants, known as ‘Bluers’, received training in aquaculture business fundamentals, with particular emphasis on catfish production.
The digital component introduced them to the knowledge required to understand and operate an aquaculture enterprise.
Following the online sessions, participants progressed to a one-day intensive practical training at Newage’s catfish farm at the Saletso Industrial Hub in Okwenya.
The field component provided an opportunity to translate theoretical knowledge into practical production skills through direct engagement with catfish farming activities.
The combination of online instruction and practical exposure is intended to strengthen participants’ understanding of the production process before they begin operating independently.
“Our model is simple but powerful: from Online, Field, Enterprise.”
Newage Agri Solutions Ltd
The all female training cohorts also place women at the centre of the programme’s intervention, creating opportunities for participants to acquire technical competencies in a sector that offers prospects for food production, entrepreneurship and income generation.
Starter Packs to Support Business Ownership
Beyond training, the third phase of Urban Blue focuses on helping participants establish their own backyard catfish farms.
Newage Agric Solutions Ltd. says it is preparing to support the Bluers with starter packages comprising fish tanks, fingerlings and feed to facilitate the establishment of their businesses.
The support will also include technical guidance to help participants manage their farms and navigate the production process. Additionally, the initiative intends to connect the emerging aquapreneurs to ready markets, addressing one of the critical challenges facing small-scale agricultural businesses.
Access to production inputs, technical assistance and reliable buyers is particularly important in aquaculture, where business sustainability depends on effective farm management, fish survival, feeding costs, production cycles and the ability to sell harvested fish at commercially viable prices.
Providing these complementary services could help reduce some of the initial barriers that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from translating agricultural training into operational businesses.
However, the long-term success of the initiative will depend on the ability of participating women to maintain production, manage operating costs, access working capital and establish consistent market relationships.
“At Newage, we believe in more than work enabling enterprises. We believe in investing in young women aquapreneurs to feed communities and build resilient food systems.”
Newage Agri Solution Ltd.
Urban Blue’s approach reflects a broader shift towards agricultural interventions that combine technical training with enterprise creation and market access.
The aim is to strengthen domestic food production, initiatives that enable young people to participate in commercial agriculture could contribute to employment creation, improved food security and private-sector development.
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