The Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Ghana, Rolf Olson, has assured the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, of closer collaboration to promote sustainable fisheries management and unlock private-sector investment in Ghana’s fisheries sector.
Mr. Olson gave the assurance during a courtesy call on the Minister at her office in Accra on February 9, 2026. He was accompanied by Political Associate Michael Kmiecinski and the Regional Environmental, Science, Technology and Health Officer, Anthony Eterno.
The high-level discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Ghana and the United States, particularly in fisheries governance, aquaculture development, and combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Mr. Olson described illegal fishing as a global challenge that undermines marine ecosystems, livelihoods, and food security. He noted that the United States shares Ghana’s concerns over IUU fishing and remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance sustainability, improve regulatory enforcement, and strengthen governance within the fisheries sector.
He further highlighted emerging business and investment opportunities within Ghana’s fisheries value chain, stating that closer collaboration could attract technical expertise, innovative technologies, and responsible private-sector investment to support growth.
Ghana faces a significant annual fish supply deficit estimated at nearly 590,000 metric tonnes, valued between US$600 million and US$800 million. The shortfall has heightened the urgency for aquaculture expansion and increased domestic fish production.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has set a national aquaculture production target of 177,000 metric tonnes by 2027. Priority investment areas identified by the Ministry include fish feed manufacturing, Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) hatcheries, cold storage infrastructure, and modern fish processing facilities aimed at strengthening the entire fisheries value chain.
In 2013, Ghana was issued a “yellow card” by the European Union over concerns about widespread illegal fishing activities. The warning placed the country at risk of trade sanctions and potential restrictions on fish exports to the EU market unless it strengthened enforcement and improved regulatory oversight. The development marked a critical turning point for the sector.
In response, Ghana undertook significant reforms, including reviewing its fisheries legislation, strengthening monitoring, control and surveillance systems, and tightening management mechanisms to address compliance gaps. The country has since ratified and incorporated key international fisheries management obligations into its national legal framework to align with global standards and reinforce oversight.
However, despite these reforms, enforcement challenges persist. A recent report by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) estimates that Ghana loses between US$14.4 million and US$23.7 million annually in licensing fees and fines from trawlers due to illegal fishing practices. According to the report, these revenues are intended to support local vessel operators and strengthen sector regulation, underscoring the continuing economic and governance impact of IUU fishing.
The discussions between Ghana and the United States form part of broader efforts to strengthen cooperation in tackling IUU fishing, improving marine resource sustainability, and attracting investment into aquaculture and fisheries development.
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