Prampram: The International Labour Organisation's (ILO) three-day workshop focused on Fishing Convention No.188 (C188) has commenced in Prampram, Greater Accra. The event, aimed at the Labour Department and other stakeholders, seeks to train attendees on the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for applying C188 provisions in the Artisanal Marine Fishing Sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, the workshop started on February 26 and is designed to enhance the understanding of C188, an international legal framework adopted in 2007 to improve working conditions in the fisheries sector. The convention ensures that fishers have decent working conditions on board fishing vessels, addressing minimum requirements for work, conditions of service, accommodation, food, safety, health protection, medical care, and social security.
Ghana's ratification of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (C188), in August 2024 marked a significant step forward. Prior to this, tripartite stakeholders, including government agencies like the Ghana Maritime Authority, Labour Department, and Fisheries Commission, were involved in implementing mechanisms for C188.
Mr. Emmanuel Kwame Mensah, ILO National Project Coordinator for the 8.7 Accelerator Lab Project, emphasized the workshop's role in contributing to the national mechanism for implementing the convention in the artisanal fishing sub-sector. The objectives include validating the SOP developed in collaboration with various stakeholders and training inspectors, vessel owners, and fishers on its application.
The SOP addresses key provisions of C188, such as recruitment, medical examinations, crew agreements, repatriation, and occupational safety. Mr. Francis Bebuski, Head of the Legal Unit at the Labour Department, noted the validation of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention document would enhance Ghana's artisanal fishing industry.
Marine Director Madam Esi Bordah Quayson from the Fisheries Commission praised the ILO's efforts, highlighting the workshop's potential to improve efficiency in Ghana's artisanal fisheries. Nana Jojo Solomon, President of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana, described the ratification of C188, effective August 28, 2025, as a positive step for improving fishing industry conditions.
Mr. Ebenezer Osabutey, Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Teamsters and General Workers, stressed the importance of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between canoe owners and crew members to support the industry's workforce.
