Republic of Ghana Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Development Plan 2011 to 2016.

The Ghana Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Plan 2011-2016 sets explicit operational targets, provides an explanation of how these targets were selected, and describes how they relate to the overarching framework of the Republic of Ghana Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy. It specifies the key activities to be implemented in the fisheries and aquaculture sector over the next five years to realise these targets. The Plan is structured around 6 sections. Section 2 of this Plan summarises the economic status of fisheries in Ghana. Sections 3 and 4 describe the production and economic potential of fisheries in Ghana. Section 5 describes the seven targets set under this Plan and how these targets link to the overarching policy framework detailed in the Republic of Ghana Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy for achievement by the end of 2015. Section 6 discusses key priorities that need to be addressed to meet the plan targets and Section 7 of this Plan describes the ‘road map’ of activities.
Fisheries is expected to play a particular and important role in leading the growth of the Ghanaian economy over the next five years. The Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy II (PRSP II) aims to double the size of the Ghanaian economy by 2015 and envisages that this change will be underpinned by agriculture and fisheries – led growth. The Policy establishes five strategic pillars to guide the development and management of fisheries in Ghana into the future and sets operational objectives that are to be pursued under each of these pillars. The program of work outlined in the Plan is staged to address fishing effort and capacity in the industrial and semi-industrial sub-sectors and improve profitability in the canoe and artisanal subsectors as a priority. There is therefore a presumption in this plan that the canoe sector will remain the heart of the Ghana fishing industry. In an open access competition with semi-industrial and industrial vessels, including large pair trawlers, canoes have proved themselves a successful harvesting technology (sec. 6).
The following national development priorities and general principles will inform and guide the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and the implementation of this Plan: Poverty reduction; Decentralization and community-based institutions play a key role in co-management and development; Gender equity; Code of Conduct: actions are guided by the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries; Stakeholder participation in regard to fisheries management and sector development; Sustainability; Conservation of fishery resources, genetics and biodiversity; Research; Education, Training and Public Awareness; Equity guiding Government action; Polluter pay principle; Transparency and accountability.
The achievement of the seven targets above by the end of 2016 represents a formidable management challenge. All targets are within the realistic capacity of the Ghana to deliver, provided that available resources are applied to a coherent plan and resource prioritisation reflects the phasing of activities within the plan. This plan is essentially a package of deliberately phased capacity building investments.
Moreover the document seeks to increase the performance of large, medium and small commercial fish farms within high priority aquaculture zones and related enterprises in the aquaculture-value chain. In addition, the capacity of aquaculture associations to deliver improved services to and advocacy on behalf of member enterprises will be strengthened. It will also seek to provide funds and capacity building to fish farmers to promote inclusiveness and efficiency.