The unveiling ceremony took place on Tuesday, 30th July 2024, in Nsuaem, situated in the Central Region of the country.This endeavor stands as a testament to the government’s unwavering dedication to sustainable progress, food security, and the generation of employment opportunities, as articulated by the president.
It signifies a momentous achievement in the agricultural realm of the nation, with the objective of harnessing Ghana’s abundant water reservoirs to provide sustainable livelihoods and elevate nutritional standards.President Akufo-Addo underscored the vast potential of aquaculture, highlighting its pivotal role within the global food system.
Currently, aquaculture supplies nearly half of the world’s fish consumption, a proportion that continues to escalate due to the depletion of wild fish stocks caused by overfishing and environmental shifts. In Ghana, fish constitutes a fundamental dietary component, significantly contributing to the populace’s nutritional intake. Nevertheless, the local fish production falls short of meeting the demand, leading to substantial imports that strain the nation’s foreign currency reserves.
The program’s impact transcends mere increase of fish production. It is positioned to support livelihoods by generating enough employment opportunities, particularly targeting the youth and women. The initiative will impart training and assistance to budding fish farmers, arming them with the requisite skills and resources for success. Moreover, it will cultivate a network of fish farms nationwide, bolstering Ghana’s capability to meet the escalating demand for fish while increasing the growth of interconnected sectors such as fish feed manufacturing, processing, and commercialization.
The initiative is scheduled to be launched in partnership with R&B Farms Ltd., the largest inland aquaculture facility in Ghana, spanning across 26 hectares of land in Gomoa Central. Through this undertaking, the government aims to educate 10,000 young individuals in the art of small-scale pisciculture.Within this scheme, the government will impart the youth with training and expertise in fish husbandry.
They will be equipped with tarpaulin enclosures, fingerlings, and fish sustenance as initial investment, empowering them to commence lucrative fish farming enterprises within half a year.Upon the official commencement of the initiative, President Akufo-Addo urged all citizens of Ghana to rally behind this endeavor, which pledges to foster a more robust, flourishing, and prosperous nation. “May God bless us all, and our homeland Ghana, and make her great and strong,” he concluded, marking the beginning of a new era in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
