Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for greater respect, protection and investment for Ghana’s fisherfolk, insisting that their work must never be treated with disdain but recognised as central to national survival and growth.
Sharing reflections from a working visit to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, she said her engagement was meant to deepen understanding of how the ministry operates and to strengthen collaboration at the highest level of government.
Drawing from her own background, the Vice President stressed the importance of lived experience and indigenous knowledge in shaping policy.
“Coming from a fishing community myself, I was reminded again that there is wealth in the water,” she said, adding that the challenge lies in extracting that wealth responsibly while improving the lives of those who depend on it.
She emphasised that fisherfolk, fishmongers and coastal communities possess deep knowledge of the sea, weather patterns and fishing practices, which must be respected and incorporated into decision-making.
According to her, meaningful research often begins by asking hard questions about why a country with a long coastline still struggles to meet fish demand and how innovation can bridge that gap.
The Vice President also highlighted the need to elevate the social standing of those in the fisheries sector.
“Their profession should never be a basis for disrespect,” she said, noting that dignity, protection and sustained investment must underpin government action if the sector is to thrive.
