Accra: Stakeholders in the fisheries sector say the appointment of women consecutively to head the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) symbolises progress in the sector. President John Dramani Mahama announced the appointment of Madam Emelia Arthur as the MoFAD designate minister, making her the third consecutive female minister, with her predecessors being Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson and Madam Elizabeth Afoley Quaye.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Jerome Deamesi, a Board Member of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA), and Nana Kweigyah, the National President of the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), expressed their views in an interview. Mr. Deamesi noted that women's leadership can bring diverse perspectives and foster inclusive decision-making, which is crucial for addressing complex issues in the fisheries sector. He also highlighted that women's leadership might inspire more gender balance in this traditionally male-dominated industry.
Nana Kweigyah emphasized the vital role women play in the fisheries value chain, stating that Madam Arthur's appointment symbolizes progress toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable approach to fisheries management and governance. He highlighted the significant challenges facing the sector, including overfishing, which has been an issue for over a decade, and stressed the importance of integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge to address these challenges.
The CaFGOAG national president also expressed expectations for the minister-designate to prioritize inclusive decisions and address human rights issues affecting artisanal fishers. He called for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill to be revisited to include fishers' inputs, aiming to strengthen the bill and maintain fishers' trust in government policies.
Mr. Deamesi expressed hope for a proactive approach from the minister-designate in addressing challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, improving regulatory frameworks, and supporting sustainable practices. He also highlighted the importance of the nominee's stance on industry concerns like the closed season for artisanal fishers and the implementation of the Electronic Monitoring System.
