Aquaculture in Ghana: New Development Fund to Boost Fish Production
The Government of Ghana has launched the Aquaculture Development Fund under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025 (Act 1146). The initiative aims to expand aquaculture, create jobs, and improve food security.
Vice-President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang said the Fund will improve access to finance, strengthen infrastructure, and attract private investors. It will also support research and training for a modern, inclusive aquaculture sector.
Bridging Ghana’s Fish Supply Gap
Ghana’s aquaculture output nearly doubled from 52,360 tons in 2019 to around 100,000 tons in 2023, and now accounts for nearly 20 percent of the country’s total fish production of 484,412 tons.
However, the country still faces a supply deficit exceeding 640,000 tons, underscoring the urgency of scaling sustainable fish farming.
Unlocking Value Across the Value Chain
The Fund is designed to boost financing for fish farms, strengthen value-chain infrastructure and promote technology adoption. The launch also featured talk of a “one-stop” licensing regime and a national training center to transfer aquaculture technologies to farmers.
Addressing feed cost, disease risks, energy inputs and market access will be vital in tapping this opportunity. Again, several reports point to the importance of public-private collaboration and regional spread of production beyond the traditional hotspots.
Conclusion
This kind of national fund can accelerate aquaculture’s transformation from niche to mainstream. With the right mix of finance, regulation and technology, fish farmers can expand operations, generate income and supply local markets. It remains essential that youth, women and regional producers are included so growth is broad-based. Concerted action on inputs, market infrastructure and value-addition will make this initiative more than an announcement, it can become a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and food-secure communities.
Samaky Hub, which integrate data-driven insights, insurance, and farmer training, can play a catalytic role by connecting governments and investors with smallholders across the continent. Concerted action on inputs, market infrastructure, and value-addition will ensure such initiatives become pathways to sustainable livelihoods and food-secure communities.
