Secretary to the Ghana Tuna Association, Richster Nii Amarh Amarhfio has asserted that Ghana’s setbacks in the fishing industry is accentuated by the lack of clarity in the nation’s fishing sector policy.
The articulate director of Laif Fisheries limited, also emphasized that Ghana’s inability to accurately diagnose the rooted challenges in fisheries has not only slackened the development of the sector but has also wounded the nation’s revenue generation capacity in the fisheries sector.
His enlightening conversation highlighted some of the key challenges confronted by both artisanal and industrial fishers on Plan B FM’s morning show; Nkɔsoɔ Nsɛm this week.
“We need to sit down and look at the actual challenges facing the sector, it is not just about dressing the surface for short-term measures, there needs to be a well-rounded engagement around the matter because the matter needs addressing ”, he emphasized.
Mr. Amarhfio further established that the challenges of Ghana’s fishery industry go beyond the issues of trans-shipment fishing, known in local parlance as “saiko”.
“Saiko is not the only demon of the sector, there are a lot of connected challenges that need to be looked at. We cannot narrow the conversation to only one malpractice. If we do things right, we will be able to protect the fish stock against endangerment”.
Richster Amarhfio
He bemoaned the declining levels of technical training in the sector while questioning Ghana’s commitment to safeguard our inland water bodies for fishing. He stated; “the outpour of chemicals into our water bodies is typically unhealthy for fish development. It endangers the natural habitat for brooding and poisons it, we cannot continue on this path otherwise we are at a risk”.
He urged all stakeholders in the sector to come to the table and set out a proper strategy to counter the decline in the sector.
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