Category: Economy / Fisheries
Inadequate funding is threatening Ghana’s efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the fisheries sector, stakeholders have warned, saying the National Multi-Stakeholder Group overseeing implementation of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative needs stronger financial support to expand its work.
Ghana’s efforts to improve transparency in the fisheries sector are facing a major challenge because of inadequate funding, stakeholders involved in the Fisheries Transparency Initiative have warned.
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative, known as FiTI, is designed to encourage participating countries to make important fisheries information available to the public.
Ghana formally committed to implementing the initiative in 2024 as part of efforts to promote openness and accountability in the management of marine fisheries.
However, stakeholders say inadequate resources are slowing the implementation process and limiting the ability of the National Multi-Stakeholder Group to carry out public education and other activities.
The National Multi-Stakeholder Group is responsible for overseeing Ghana’s implementation of the initiative. It brings together stakeholders from government, civil society and other relevant sectors.
Dr Godfred Ameyaw Asiedu, FiTI Regional Coordinator for Anglophone Africa, told the Ghana News Agency that the group had made progress despite financial limitations.
Among the achievements is support provided to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture to develop an online Fisheries Information System.
The platform was launched during the Our Oceans Conference in Kenya in June 2026. It is expected to provide public access to important information about Ghana’s marine fisheries sector.
The information covered under the initiative can include fishing licences, vessel ownership, fish catches and actions taken against illegal fishing operators.
Making such information available to the public is intended to strengthen accountability and allow citizens to understand how Ghana’s marine resources are being managed.
The initiative is particularly important because the fisheries sector faces challenges associated with Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing.
Illegal fishing can affect fish stocks, the income of legitimate fishing communities and government revenue.
Ghana’s coastal communities depend heavily on fishing for their livelihoods. Fishermen, fish processors, traders, transport operators and other businesses benefit from the fishing industry.
Declining fish stocks can therefore have economic consequences for entire communities.
Stakeholders believe greater transparency can help authorities and citizens identify problems within the sector and improve enforcement.
However, transparency is only effective when citizens can access and understand the information being provided.
Mr Philip Prah of Friends of the Nation, a socio-environmental advocacy organisation and member of the National Multi-Stakeholder Group, said funding challenges were affecting public awareness activities.
He argued that making information available online was only part of the solution. Citizens must also be educated about how to access and use the information.
The challenge is particularly relevant to fishing communities where access to digital platforms may not always be convenient.
Public education could therefore help fishermen, traders, journalists, civil society organisations and other groups understand information about the sector.
Stakeholders have suggested possible ways of financing the transparency initiative.
One proposal is for proceeds from fines imposed on fishing vessels that violate regulations to support the work of the National Multi-Stakeholder Group.
The proposal would provide an additional source of funding while potentially linking enforcement with efforts to strengthen transparency.
Ghana’s experience is also being compared with other countries participating in the Fisheries Transparency Initiative.
Seychelles, for example, has achieved FiTI compliance status and provides an example of how sustained government support can contribute to successful implementation.
Ghana’s stakeholders say similar long-term commitment will be required if the country is to achieve its transparency objectives.
The issue is significant because the fisheries sector contributes to food security, employment and economic activity in Ghana’s coastal communities.
Fish is an important source of protein for many households, while fishing and fish-related businesses provide livelihoods for large numbers of people.
Effective management of marine resources is therefore important for both the current population and future generations.
The government has a responsibility to ensure that fisheries resources are managed sustainably, while fishing communities and industry participants also have responsibilities under national regulations.
Greater transparency could help improve public confidence in the sector by allowing citizens to understand how decisions are made and how regulations are enforced.
It could also support journalists and civil society organisations in monitoring the sector and raising concerns where necessary.
Despite the funding difficulties, stakeholders say important groundwork has already been completed.
A lead ministry and national focal point have been designated, terms of reference have been approved and a work plan has been developed to guide implementation.
The next challenge is ensuring that the institutions responsible for the process have sufficient resources to implement those plans.
Stakeholders therefore want government and development partners to provide the necessary financial and technical support.
They argue that investment in transparency should be seen as part of broader efforts to protect Ghana’s marine resources and improve the long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector.
As Ghana continues implementing FiTI, attention will remain on whether the government can address the funding gap and ensure that fisheries information becomes accessible to ordinary citizens.
The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on cooperation among government institutions, fishing communities, civil society groups and industry stakeholders.
For now, inadequate funding remains one of the main obstacles to Ghana’s fisheries transparency agenda, according to stakeholders involved in the process.
By: Oppong Frimpong Richard