Government backs Blue Food Innovation Hub to Cut Aquaculture Losses

Chief Director at the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Marian Kpakpah, has announced that government is rolling out new innovations to support the Chamber of Aquaculture’s Blue Food Innovation Hub, as part of efforts to significantly reduce post-harvest losses in Ghana’s aquaculture sector.

 Speaking during a validation workshop in Accra she explained that reducing losses along the aquaculture value chain is critical to increasing domestic fish production and cutting Ghana’s heavy reliance on fish imports.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders in the aquaculture industry to review a draft strategy and governance framework for the Blue Food Innovation Hub initiative, which is intended to promote innovation, sustainability and long-term growth in the sector.

Participants at the workshop assessed the draft document and recommended that the Hub should prioritise inclusive development by working closely with fish farmers, providing targeted capacity-building programs, and encouraging the adoption of adaptive and modern technologies.

The Chief Director stressed the importance of building a strong, innovation-led aquaculture value chain. She noted that embracing modern technologies and improving operational efficiency would be essential to developing a resilient, competitive and sustainable aquaculture industry.

Chairman of the Chamber of Aquaculture, Dr Anim Somuah, said the Blue Food Innovation Hub has the potential to transform Ghana’s aquaculture sector and make a significant contribution to national economic development.

Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Aquaculture and lead for the Blue Food Innovation Hub project, Mr Jacob Adzikah, disclosed that the initiative is being developed in partnership with the World Economic Forum and will be the first of its kind in Africa, with Ghana hosting the Hub.

According to him, preparations are underway for the official launch of the Hub in February 2026. He said the process requires close collaboration with stakeholders across the blue food sector.

“Over the past months, we have engaged stakeholders to secure their buy-in and to co-design a strategy, governance structure and roadmap for the Hub,” he stated.

Mr Adzikah recalled that the first stakeholder engagement meeting was held in October, during which participants jointly developed the draft strategy and governance framework. He noted that the validation workshop was organised to further refine and finalise those proposals.

He further explained that Ghana’s blue food sector comprising marine fisheries, inland fisheries and aquaculture faces serious challenges, particularly in the marine and inland segments where fish stocks are rapidly declining.

Aquaculture, he said, remains the most viable option for meeting future fish demand, but the sector requires greater efficiency and innovation.

“To transform aquaculture, we must adopt new approaches. Through this Hub, we aim to unlock financing for the blue food sector, especially aquaculture, since access to finance remains one of the major constraints facing industry players,” he said.