The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD), Mrs. Mavis HawaKoomson, has launched the “Resilient Aquatic Food Systems” initiative in Accra.
The program suggests incorporating aquatic production into water resources management plans to support the nation’s food production systems in an effort to promote both the country’s food security and its development goal.
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGAIR) was formed it to boost smallholder productivity, improve nutritional outcomes, and provide possibilities for women and young people to profit from the fish value chain.
In addition to the Fisheries Commission, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), MOFAD, Northern Development Authority, and district assemblies, the program is being spearheaded by one of CGAIR’s components, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
Mrs. Koomsons assured the program’s success by stating that the government recognized the potential in the aquaculture subsector and that this was why the initiative had come at a good time.
This is consistent with the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) for my ministry and the national Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Project, she continued.
In order to ensure that all aquaculture activities carried out as part of the program were in line with ongoing initiatives, Mrs. Koomson said her ministry will offer support and strategic guidance.
To further ensure that the aquaculture production is closely connected with the fisheries value chain, she added, “I further expect the programme to introduce innovations in the fish market value chain engagements.”
For the sake of both the present and future generations, she continued, “The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development will continue to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture are sustainably managed and developed.”
According to the Minister, the program will work with the Fisheries Commission and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to co-design creative packages that will enable the integration of aquaculture into small water infrastructures within the current framework of One Village One Dam strategy implementation.
She continued, “The One Village One Dam Project was an initiative of my former Ministry, and I am pleased that the initiative would be helpful to a program under my present Ministry.”
IWMI’s country representative, Dr. Olufunke Cofie, stated that because the government had previously launched efforts, they were stepping in as a knowledge institute to support them.
“We want to help by making sure that Ghana can develop a robust aquatic food chain. Together with our sister CGIARcenters, we are making sure we have the correct data and resolving the issues that are limiting productivity so that the correct decision can be taken during the implementation phase, she said.
According to Dr. Cofie, the institute will collaborate with the local partners to co-design the creative packages that will help the initiative’s goal be accomplished.
The effort would have strong ties to other government initiatives that are connected to aquaculture, water, and food systems, according to Dr. Kwesi Atta-Krah, Director, Regional and Country Engagement Advisor, CGAIR.