The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Shama, Emelia Arthur, has expressed optimism that developments in aquaculture will provide year-round fishing opportunities and create more jobs for the youth.
She revealed that the Anomabo Fisheries College is nearing completion and will soon be operational to help reduce post-harvest losses in the beneficiary communities.
Touring the Central Region just weeks after assuming office, the Minister visited R&B Farms, a wholly Ghanaian-owned earthen pond farm operating on 32 hectares at Gomoa Nsuem.
The farm, which already has a partnership with the Government of Ghana, through the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme, serves as an integrated aquaculture center aimed at boosting fish production.
Speaking during the tour, the Minister commended the farm’s activities and pledged the government’s commitment to maintaining a strong partnership. She also emphasized the need for collaboration to transform Ghana’s aquaculture sector into a sustainable and profitable industry.
The Director of Operations and Partner at R&B Farms, Benjamin Turkson, highlighted the company’s vision to introduce aquaculture to the youth at an early stage, making it a viable career path.
He urged the government to leverage aquaculture as a tool to combat unemployment and reduce illegal mining (galamsey).
Echoing this sentiment, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus, expressed hope that the youth in his constituency would seize the opportunity to engage in aquaculture and secure sustainable livelihoods.
Onaapo
