Accra: Women are an integral part of the fishing industry of Ghana; they are the invisible hands powering the sector, from canoe-side processing to smoked fish marketing.
According to Ghana News Agency, while most women in the fish processing sector focus on smoking fresh fish for the market, Mrs. Mabel Ibidun Quarshie, a 61-year-old former banker turned agripreneur, is leveraging more potential in the industry to change the narrative. She is the founder and CEO of Acquatic Foods Limited, a fish processing business that is redefining how Ghanaians view, eat, and profit from fish. Her journey began with loss, detoured through innovation, and now continues with mentorship and empowerment. From her FDA-certified facility, she produces fish sausages, jerky, chips, and powdered tilapia spices, products once thought unimaginable in Ghana's culinary space.
Her journey into fish processing began after her aquaculture business faced challenges like water contamination, net damage, and poor harvests. Determined to remain within the fish value chain, a training trip to Uganda introduced her to the idea of fish sausages. After experimenting in her kitchen and receiving positive feedback, she returned to Uganda for commercial processing training, eventually launching her first commercial fish sausage.
Over the years, Mrs. Quarshie has developed an impressive line of over 10 fish-based products, shaped by market feedback and innovation. Responding to consumer preferences, she created boneless kobi, grilled fish kebabs, and spiced up jerky and chinchin. She continuously researches international trends to adapt them to local tastes, making fish products more familiar to Ghanaians.
Mrs. Quarshie faced challenges in the industry, including the binding of her fish sausages, which she overcame with collaboration from the Food Research Institute. Sourcing consistency from fish farmers and staffing remain issues, as some employees lack the drive to align with her vision. Despite these challenges, she continues to invest in training her staff and improving business operations.
Operating from her Business Incubation and Processing Centre in Sakumono, she mentors other entrepreneurs, particularly women, to turn setbacks into success. As President of the African Women in Agribusiness, she spearheads a mentorship and incubation program for young people and women, encouraging them to start fish processing with minimal capital.
Mrs. Quarshie acknowledges the presence of support programs for women but notes that many are not fully taking advantage. She advocates for women to be chosen based on qualifications rather than quotas and encourages open dialogue to overcome societal barriers.
Mrs. Mabel Ibidun Quarshie's story is a testament to the courage and resilience of Ghanaian women in the blue economy. By transforming challenges into opportunities, she has become a leader in women-led innovation and empowerment in the fishing sector.
