Minister Designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Madam Emelia Arthur, has emphasized the vital role of capital provision and investment opportunities for women in the aquaculture sector.
Speaking during her vetting session on Wednesday, 22nd January 2025, at the Parliament, Madam Emelia Arthur addressed the significant challenges women face in this industry, particularly the lack of capital.
“As we all know, women dominate the fishery sector. Men own canoes, and some women own canoes as well, but men go fishing, and when they bring the produce, the women take over, process the fish into different smoked fish, fried fish, what have you, but sometimes they are faced with the problem of capital funding.”
She announced that in liaison with the Women’s Development Bank, loans will be offered, which will empower these women in the fishery sector.
“The Fisheries and Aquaculture sector hopes to link with the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank to provide small loans to the women, the fishmongers, so they improve their work.”
Madam Emelia Arthur also outlined plans for the establishment of additional processing centres to bolster the work of women fishmongers.
“We are also looking at processing centers and even in the area of aquaculture, we are looking at big investments in creating aquaculture farms, where there’s cold storage, cold vans, and an easy market that will bring suppliers and buyers together.”
“All of those things are important. One other thing that is extremely important to support women who are into fishing, fishmongers, is actual markets, physical markets.”
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Story by: Judith Abena Animah Amoateng | univers.ug.edu.gh
