Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s aquaculture industry into a key driver of food security, job creation, and sustainable development.

Speaking at the Aquaculture Ghana 2025 Conference, the Vice President highlighted the sector’s impressive growth, noting that aquaculture production has risen from 45,000 metric tonnes to 108,000 metric tonnes in recent years. She, however, emphasised that more must be done to meet national demand, reduce post-harvest waste, and strengthen the entire value chain.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang described agriculture and aquaculture as central pillars in Ghana’s journey toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Guided by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Act, 2005, she said the government remains focused on promoting innovation, inclusion, and environmental sustainability within the sector.

To further boost growth, the Vice President announced that the government will soon launch an Aquaculture Development Fund to improve access to finance, enhance infrastructure, and accelerate research and technology transfer across the country.

She noted that the aquaculture industry already supports millions of livelihoods, from hatcheries and feed mills to processors, traders, and exporters.

The government, she added, aims to make aquaculture a major source of employment for youth and women entrepreneurs.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also revealed plans to establish a One-Stop Aquaculture Licensing Regime and a National Aquaculture Commission, envisioned as a Centre of Excellence for training, research, and large-scale fish production.

Addressing sector challenges such as high feed and energy costs, limited renewable energy access, inadequate processing infrastructure, and disease outbreaks, the Vice President assured stakeholders that comprehensive reforms are underway to tackle these bottlenecks.

She underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in scaling up production, processing, and exports, urging investors to work collaboratively to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s aquaculture economy.

“Aquaculture development,” she said, “will drive green jobs, industrial growth, and rural transformation — becoming a catalyst for climate resilience and economic renewal.”