The welfare and rights of seafarers in Ghana’s fishing industry, the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and the National Union of Seamen, Ports and Allied Workers (NUSPAW) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement, signed on Wednesday at a brief ceremony organised by the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in Accra, aims to enforce relevant laws that guarantee safer, fairer, and more dignified working and living conditions for fishers aboard trawl vessels operating in Ghana. The framework is aligned with the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention.
Mr. Michael Angmor, General Secretary of NUSPAW, signed on behalf of the union, while Madam Kate Ansah signed on behalf of GITA’s President, Mr. Steve Adzokatse.
Speaking at the event, Madam Ansah described the MoU as a carefully developed outcome of months of research, consultation, and negotiation.
“This MoU comes after several months of intensive engagement, research, and good-faith negotiation. It represents a carefully crafted framework for fair wages, structured emoluments, and decent conditions of work onboard our vessels,” she stated.
She added that GITA has already begun implementing standardized recruitment practices aimed at enhancing transparency and eliminating exploitation. “We’ve developed a wage categorization system, a fair and consistent method for calculating pay, and we’re training both crew and vessel owners to ensure a full understanding of rights and obligations.”
Mr. Angmor praised the progress made in formalising recruitment and ensuring decent work conditions for fishers. “Previously, recruitment was informal and without contracts. Today, every fisher onboard a vessel has a contract,” he stated.
He recounted the transformation in living conditions: “Fishers used to sleep on cardboards meant for fish cartons on what was called ‘Monkey Island.’ Today, they sleep in cabins fitted with fans or air conditioners, on mattresses with pillows.”
He also highlighted a dramatic increase in wages—from GHS500 previously to GHS3,200 since November 2022. “Before, fishers couldn’t negotiate directly with ship owners or agents. Today, they are represented, and this MoU is proof of that progress,” he said.
Mr. Angmor further called for the establishment of a dedicated bank and court for the maritime and fisheries industry.
Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, lauded the agreement as a milestone in labour relations within Ghana’s marine fishing sector.
“This partnership is not just a wage agreement—it symbolizes improved labour relations and commitment to international standards,” Dr. Ali said. “It reflects Ghana’s broader objective to align with international maritime labour standards and pave the way for future collective bargaining agreements.”
He assured continued collaboration with stakeholders such as the Fisheries Commission and the Labour Department to ensure full implementation of the agreement that has been signed.