Accra: Mr. Joshua Ansah, the Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has made a call to African governments that have not yet ratified the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention 188 to take action and incorporate it into national legislation. The ILO Convention C188, known as the Work in Fishing Convention, aims to guarantee decent working conditions for fishers by setting minimum standards for employment, accommodations, safety, health, and social security on fishing vessels.
According to Ghana News Agency, ratifying Convention C188 requires countries to establish robust national frameworks for implementing and enforcing these standards. This effort would enhance the welfare of fishers, improve working conditions, and promote better social dialogue within the fishing industry. Mr. Ansah, speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF) Africa Seafood Workers Conference, emphasized the importance of fisheries policies reflecting the rights and welfare of fish workers.
The conference, organized in collaboration with the General Agricultural Workers Association (GAWU) of TUC, gathered representatives from seafood workers’ unions and organizations across Africa. The aim was to discuss strategies for promoting decent work, eliminating child labor, ensuring sustainable fisheries, and developing strategies for unions and fishers’ participation in the C188 implementation process. The event also provided an opportunity to share best practices, including Ghana’s success story with C188 in the fisheries sector and the Torkor Model for eliminating child labor.
Mr. Ansah urged stakeholders in the seafood industry to respect workers’ rights, engage in genuine political bargaining, and eradicate child labor and exploitation from their supply chains. “The dignity of fish workers will only be won through unity and struggle,” he stated.
Nii Ismael Adjei Browne, a representative from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, highlighted the passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 Act 1146, as a significant achievement. This Act provides a modern legal framework to strengthen the governance and management of fishing resources while promoting aquaculture as a reliable pillar of food security and ensuring compliance with international best practices. He commended the major stakeholders who contributed to the development of the document.
Mr. Browne noted that the Act reflects Ghana’s commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive blue economy. It empowers stakeholders, including unions and fisherfolk, to play a greater role in decision-making and safeguarding the long-term future of aquatic resources. However, he stressed that the passage of the Act is not an end in itself but a call for action that requires effective implementation and strong enforcement. Furthermore, Ghana’s ratification and commitment to ILO Convention 188 underscore its determination to uphold the dignity, safety, and rights of fishers.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture expressed optimism that the conference would serve as a platform to share experiences and inspire wider production across the continent. “The future of the seafood sector rests on the fields of sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity,” he added. The Ministry plans to continue strengthening policies and programs that promote responsible fishing activities, enhance decent work, and create safe and equitable opportunities for women, youth, and vulnerable groups along the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
Mr. Browne emphasized that achieving this vision requires sustained collaboration among governments, international organizations, trade unions, industry players, and civil society to build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient seafood sector for Africa. He encouraged participants to approach discussions with boldness, innovation, and a spirit of collaboration, as the outcomes will enrich national policies and shape Africa’s collective response to the challenges facing the seafood sector.