22/08/2025
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐พ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐น๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐- a new Legislation called the Fisheries & Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146). A big win for Ghana's Blue Economy Sector. What does this mean for the youth & Blue Economy Connect (BEC)?
The Ministry of Fisheries & Aquaculture envisions the Act to transform Ghana's fisheries governance as it aligns the sector with global best practices, protects small-scale fishers, & enhances sustainability across marine ecosystems & communities.
๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ & ๐๐๐:
- An Independent Fisheries Commission: open doors for policy engagement & creates an opportunity for youth inclusion in governance structures. BEC is committed to advocating for youth advisory roles within this Commission.
- Expansion of the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ): extending the IEZ from 6 to 12 nautical miles aligns with BECโs community & environmental capacity-building mandate. BEC is committed to supporting awareness campaigns to educate and empower the youth and/in coastal communities to become stewards to this reform.
- Aquaculture Promotion & Standards: creating stronger regulations & opportunities strengthens BECโs advocacy and commitment to promoting innovative models that contribute to just transition & sustainable jobs for youth and women. We have also become confident that youth innovations & aquaculture start-ups will receive better support.
- Combatting Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Introducing stronger penalties & a clearer legal framework against IUU fishing provides a platform for youth-led policy advocacy on transparency, vessel monitoring, and reporting systems. BEC is committed to collaborating with relevant institutions to enhance advocacy & awareness.
- Labor, Safety, and Social Protection: Improving welfare & working conditions for fishers and aquaculture workers aligns with BECโs gender and inclusion agenda, ensuring women and marginalized youth in coastal communities benefit. BEC is committed to collaborating with labor unions, CSOs, and state agencies to monitor compliance and raise awareness of youth rights in the blue economy sector.
Also, although not branded as "Climate Law", the Act supports climate resilience in many dimensions & as an issue of Global concern, BEC is committed to championing youth-led climate-smart innovations & solutions.
To conclude, this Act is indeed a big win for Ghana's blue economy sector & the youth. BEC is duly committed ensuring that the youth are central to the envisioned sustainable development and blue future. We welcome all the support & collaborations!
We thank His Excellency John Mahama, the Hon. Minister for Fisheries & Aquaculture Emelia Arthur and her ministry, the Executive Director Professor Benjamin Betey Campion & the Fisheries Commission, JACOB DOE ADZIKAH & the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana, and other stakeholder for their great work in championing this course.