Accra, Ghana – On October 23, 2024, a key workshop aimed at enhancing Ghana’s fisheries governance and law enforcement capabilities took place at the MJ Grand Hotel in East Legon. The event, part of the U.S. Department of State-funded DWFV Project, brought together officers from Ghana’s Fisheries Commission (FC), Marine Police, Navy, and other relevant agencies for a pilot training focused on Maritime Control and Surveillance (MCS) and fisheries enforcement.
The workshop followed the successful validation of a new MCS and Enforcement training manual, designed to strengthen the skills and knowledge of fisheries enforcement units. Key topics covered included the legal frameworks for fisheries management, the impacts of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and practical skills in boarding and inspecting fishing vessels.
Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, the project lead, emphasized the importance of empowering local officers to combat the growing threats posed by foreign distant water fishing vessels operating illegally in the Gulf of Guinea. The workshop also provided an overview of regional and international fisheries management frameworks, with participants engaging in simulation exercises and monitoring and evaluation activities.
By equipping enforcement agencies with these critical tools, the initiative aims to safeguard Ghana’s fisheries resources and promote sustainable practices for the long-term benefit of coastal communities.