Ghana risks EU fish import ban by 2026

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

Ghana could face a total ban on fish exports to the European Union (EU) if it fails to clean up its fishing sector by 2026, the Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Food, Aquaculture and Cocoa Affairs, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has warned.

The country has already been issued two yellow cards—first in 2013 and again in 2021—by the EU for engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. A third warning could earn Ghana a red card, effectively banning its fish from entering the EU market.

Dr. Jasaw made the disclosure at a stakeholder engagement in Accra on Friday, held to deliberate on the final stages of a new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill. The bill aims to introduce robust reforms to ensure responsible fishing practices and align Ghana with international standards.

“On both occasions, we were singled out for yellow card warnings due to IUU fishing activities. If these infractions persist by 2026, Ghana will be slapped with a red card, and that will mean the EU shutting its market to our fish exports,” Dr. Jasaw stated.

The new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill—currently under emergency consideration in Parliament—seeks to impose stricter regulations on the sector and increase penalties for offenders.

Three Million Jobs at Risk

Addressing the gathering, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs. Emelia Arthur, underscored the potential socioeconomic fallout of a red card from the EU. She said an estimated three million Ghanaians depend directly or indirectly on the fisheries value chain for their livelihoods.

“Ghana is one of the largest exporters of fish to the EU, and a red card would not only disrupt the industry but severely affect our foreign exchange earnings and jobs. We need a law that will sanitise and properly regulate the fishing space to avoid this fate,” she warned.

Mrs. Arthur explained that the draft bill—which includes provisions on inland fishing, aquaculture governance, offences, and penalties—has already been submitted to Parliament and will soon be presented to the EU and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for review.

Stakeholders Call for Accountability

Participants at the stakeholder forum stressed the need for Ghana to uphold its international obligations under the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. They expressed concern over the increasing incidents of illegal fishing and called for stricter enforcement.

Some stakeholders advocated for the prosecution of foreign vessel captains involved in illegal fishing activities in Ghanaian waters, arguing that mere repatriation was not enough of a deterrent.

“Captains who flout our laws shouldn’t just be sent back to their countries; they should face prosecution under Ghanaian law. That is the only way we can protect our marine resources,” one stakeholder remarked.

Comprehensive Legal Reform

The new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, which lapsed with the last Parliament, has been reintroduced and currently comprises 167 clauses and 170 sections. It is expected to provide comprehensive legal backing to help Ghana address illegal fishing, improve resource management, and comply with EU and FAO standards.

Dr. Jasaw concluded by urging all stakeholders to lend their expertise and insights to the bill’s final draft to help safeguard the country’s fishing industry and secure continued access to the EU market.

“If we fail to act decisively, we risk losing a major market and destabilising the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians,” he cautioned.