A delegation from the United States Embassy, led by Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson, has paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs Emelia Arthur, to explore new avenues of collaboration within the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The meeting, held on Tuesday in Accra, provided a platform for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to advancing sustainable fisheries management and promoting responsible aquaculture development.
Speaking during the engagement, Mrs Arthur emphasised the government’s strong focus on aquaculture as a strategic priority, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities for youth and women, and enhance national food security.
She also outlined key challenges in the sector, including the need for improved vessel monitoring systems to strengthen surveillance at sea, and the establishment of robust fish health management frameworks to support a modern and resilient aquaculture industry.
The Minister stressed that strategic partnerships with international allies, including the United States, are essential to effectively addressing these gaps.
“Collaboration in areas such as technology transfer, research, monitoring, and enforcement will be instrumental in achieving sustainable fisheries management and long-term sector transformation,” she noted.
The Chargé d’Affaires Olson highlighted that the United States shared concerns over Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, describing it as a global challenge that threatens marine ecosystems, livelihoods, and food security.
He affirmed the U.S. Government’s interest in supporting initiatives that strengthen governance, promote sustainability, and encourage private-sector investment across the fisheries value chain.
Mr Olson highlighted the emerging business and investment opportunities within Ghana’s fisheries sector, indicating that enhanced collaboration could attract technical expertise, innovative technologies, and responsible investment to support sector growth.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
