Ministry of Fisheris
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Ministry |
Ministry of Fisheries |
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Minister |
Hon Gladys Asmah [1] |
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Website |
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Postal Address |
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VISIONS AND MISSION STATEMENT
“To maintain fish availability at all times through exploitation and culture of fisheries resources.â€
MISSION STATEMENT
The Ministry of Fisheries exists to promote sustainable and thriving fisheries enterprises through research, technology, development, extension and other support services to Fishers, processors and traders and to fulfill its role in ensuring food security and poverty reductionâ€.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MINISTRY
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the ministry are as indicated below: -
To prepare and keep under continual review plans for the management and development of Fisheries in waters under the Jurisdiction of Ghana;
To ensure availability and adequate supply of fish from captured fisheries for the local and export markets;
To provide technical support and facilitate financial assistance to fishers, fish processors and marketers;
To facilitate effective and efficient inputs distribution system;
To co-ordinate and collaborate with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the enforcement of Fisheries Laws, Regulations and Bye – Laws;
To promote local, sub-regional and international co-operation in Fisheries Management and Development;
To ensure that plans are built to improve on the Human Resources capacity of the Ministry to enhance service delivery;
To ensure the availability of timely, reliable data and information on the fisheries sector;
To Co-ordinate and collaborate with MDAs and NGOs for poverty reduction production and value chain in the fishing industry;
AIMS
To achieve the above objections, the Ministry will continue to peruse policies aimed at;
Increasing Fish production consistent with the long term sustainability of the resources, for domestic consumption and for exports;
Reduction harvest losses and the adding values to end products of fisheries for increased income to users and for the generation of foreign exchange to the nation;
Intensifying Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) activities to ensure responsible fishing; and
Liaising with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative (PSI) to sensitise businessmen to invest in aquaculture as a business/industry.
FUNCTIONS
The key functions of the Ministry are: -
(i) Facilitate the formulation and implementation of appropriate policies in support of a sustainable fishing industry. Initiate, Co-ordinate, monitors and evaluate national programmes/projects in the fishing industry;
(iii) Generate social economic data as basis for improving the Human capacity of the fishing industry;
(iv) Ensure the implementation of Fisheries laws and regulation;
(v) Collaborate with HRMD in skill development of fisheries staff and Collaborate with sub-regional and International organization in the study and Management of shared fisheries resources;
(vii) Play a facilitating role inputs acquisition and marketing of produce to fishers, fish farmers fish processors and traders.
Provide a technical support to fishermen, fish farmers, fish processors and traders on improved fisheries practices, efficient utilisation and management of fisheries resources.
ACHIEVEMENTS
In line with the Ministry's objectives, the following outputs were achieved this year, 2005:-
A Fishers forum attended by all stakeholders in the fishing industry was organised in the course of the year to solicit views to design a comprehensive Fisheries Policy for the Ministry. In this regard, a Consultant has been engaged to form part of a Committee under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Hon. Daniel Dugan to put together a draft policy document for Consideration. It is expected that work on the new Fisheries Policy document will be completed and made operational by the end of June 2006.
(ii) To curtail illegal fishing activities MCs patrol activities were intensified during the year especially on the Volta Lake where a steel patrol boats acquired in 2003 is being used.
(iii) A Vessel Monitoring (VMS), which was procured by government and Commissioned on 29th November 2005, is now operational. So far 70 Industrial fishing vessels have been fitted with vessel tracking devices to ensure the monitoring of the operations at sea. All the remaining vessels will be fitted with the device by close of this year, 2005;
(iv) Fisheries Management plans and Regulations are being processed at the Attorney General's Department. These will be gazette and implemented by close of year.
(v) 133 out of 173 CBFMCS formed along the Marine Coast are in place and are at various stages of operation. Besides, 14 out of the 17 Coastal Districts have passed their bye-laws on Fishing, while three (3) of these Districts which have passed their bye-laws has also gazetted them.
(vi) 153 CBFMCS along the shorelines of the Volta Lake in the Asuoagyaman, Kpandu and Jasikan Districts have been formed. The bye-laws of these three (3) Districts have also been passed and are operational.
(vii) A consulting firm has been engaged to conduct feasibility studies on the Improvement of some selected fish landing sites along the shorelines of the Marine Coast and the Volta Lake .
(ix) The Ministry has collaborated with some Mining Companies to convert Disused nine pits into fishing ponds to create employment, reduce poverty and contribute to fish food security.
(x) The Ministry established a Committee to identify and develop strategies to enhance fish production in reservoirs and larger water bodies in the country.
BASIC INFORMATION
E-Mail and Website Address-Nil for the Ministry HQ and its Agencies
Fax Numbers available are
Ministry HQ-021-6785670
Fisheries Directorate – 021 - 776005