The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur (MP), has held a high-level meeting with officials of the World Bank Office in Accra to explore collaborative strategies aimed at enhancing Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The discussions focused on key development priorities, including job creation, coastal infrastructure transformation, and gender empowerment in coastal communities.

The Minister's courtesy visit to the World Bank formed part of a broader government initiative to engage international development partners and attract funding to drive sustainable growth within the sector.

Welcoming the Minister and her delegation, Mr. Robert Taliercio, Divisional Director at the World Bank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s fisheries agenda. He noted that the World Bank is eager to co-develop a shared development vision with the Ministry that aligns with Ghana’s national development objectives and the Bank’s operational priorities.

Mr. Taliercio commended Miss Arthur for her leadership in revitalising the sector and highlighted opportunities to tap into various trust funds dedicated to fisheries and aquaculture-related projects.

He proposed further engagement at the technical level to solidify project designs and ensure smooth and impactful implementation.

In her remarks, Madam Emelia Arthur expressed her appreciation for the World Bank’s continued partnership and support.

She emphasised that the Ministry’s current focus is on generating decent and sustainable jobs, particularly for women and youth in coastal areas, as part of a comprehensive aquaculture development strategy.

“The World Bank’s job creation agenda resonates strongly with the Ministry’s new direction,” Ms. Arthur stated. “We are committed to building a more productive and resilient fisheries sector that provides real livelihood opportunities while ensuring long-term sustainability.”

The Minister also acknowledged the valuable contributions of international partners such as Bloomberg and Oceana, who are currently assisting with data collection to inform evidence-based policies and project planning.

She stressed the need for increased investment and technical support to unlock the untapped potential of Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture industries.