-BY Grace Zigah
Parliament has ratified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, marking a significant step towards combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promoting sustainable fisheries management in Ghana.
The agreement, adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022, aims to eliminate harmful subsidies that drive overfishing and IUU activities.
The ratification of the agreement aligns with Ghana’s Marine Fisheries Management Plan (2022-2026), which aims to restore marine fish stocks, enhance data collection, and improve enforcement.
The plan also supports the country’s broader efforts to build a resilient and equitable fisheries sector.
Ghana’s fisheries sector is a key pillar of the economy, supporting millions of livelihoods and contributing to food security, nutrition, and foreign exchange earnings.
Challenges Facing Fisheries Sector
Despite its importance, Ghana’s fisheries sector faces persistent challenges, including declining fish stocks, overcapacity, and environmental degradation.
The sector’s vulnerability to IUU fishing and the impact of heavily subsidized foreign fleets, particularly from China, Japan, and the European Union, have also been significant concerns.
Benefits of the Agreement
The ratification of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is expected to create a level playing field for Ghana’s artisanal and semi-industrial fishers. The agreement also seeks to promote sustainable fisheries management and support the country’s commitment to fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.6, which calls for the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies by 2025.
Implementation and Next Steps
Following parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture will transmit the instrument of ratification to the WTO Secretariat.
The Ministry is also revising national fisheries laws to align with the agreement’s provisions.
The government has assured stakeholders that the implementation process will include broad consultations, public awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programs to ensure effective enforcement and stakeholder buy-in.
