Accra: The Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) has engaged the National Union of Teamsters and General Workers (NUTEG) on unionisation in the artisanal fisheries sector. Nana Kweigyah, the National President of CaFGOAG, highlighted the agreement reached between canoe owners and fishing crews on this crucial initiative.
According to Ghana News Agency, the meeting was facilitated with technical support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through the Trade Union Congress of Ghana. CaFGOAG successfully engaged stakeholders in implementing the Workers Policy on Decent Work in the Fishing Sector of Ghana. To further the policy’s implementation, CaFGOAG, aided by the Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition, convened a planning session with NUTEG. The focus was on expanding the registration of fishing crews in alignment with the policy.
The meeting saw participation from canoe owners and bosuns hailing from the four coastal regions of Ghana. Nana Kweigyah emphasized that the push for unionisation aims to uphold the rights of small-scale fishers. The goal is to secure enhanced working conditions and social protections for those in the artisanal fishing industry.
He expressed that unionisation is anticipated to provide fishers with a unified voice. This collective strength is expected to advocate for sustainable fishing practices and influence policies impacting small-scale fisheries. The broader aim is to drive economic empowerment and resilience within the artisanal fisheries sector.