Inadequate funding has emerged as a significant hurdle to Ghana’s implementation of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), threatening efforts to enhance openness, combat illegal fishing, and restore declining marine stocks. 

Speaking to journalists, experts and stakeholders within the National Multi-Stakeholder Group (NMSG) warned that while Ghana committed to the global initiative in 2024, resource deficits continue to restrict the scope and speed of critical governance reforms.

FiTI Regional Coordinator for Anglophone Africa, Dr Godfred Ameyaw Asiedu, highlighted that despite financial constraints, the NMSG assisted the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture in developing an online Fisheries Information System, launched at the “Our Oceans Conference” in Kenya in June 2026. 

However, Dr Ameyaw noted that limited resources continue to slow down implementation. The global FiTI framework mandates participating governments to publish accessible data covering vessel ownership, fishing licenses, catch volumes, and penalties levied against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing operations.

Stakeholders emphasised that physical data publication alone is insufficient without public education. Mr Philip Prah of Friends of the Nation suggested redirecting proceeds from fisheries violation fines directly into NMSG operations to raise community awareness. 

Drawing lessons from Seychelles, the first nation to achieve FiTI compliance, Ms Nathaniel Morel of the Seychelles Blue Economy Department explained that direct government funding was instrumental in simplifying technical reports for local communities. 

Responding to concerns, Ghana’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, Madam Emelia Arthur, assured that part of the Ministry’s Goods and Services allocation will support NMSG operations, alongside ongoing negotiations with Norway to reactivate a fisheries development fund.

Source: Access Agric