Aquaculture Chamber Advocates Public-Private Partnerships to Boost Sector
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana (CAG) has called for deliberate and structured public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a critical pathway to unlocking finance, modernizing infrastructure, and transforming the aquaculture sector in Ghana. The call comes as the nation celebrates the 41st National Farmers Day, recognising the hard work of farmers, fish farmers, and value-chain actors whose dedication continues to feed the nation and strengthen the economy.
In a statement, the Chamber extended warm felicitations to all stakeholders in the aquaculture sector, acknowledging their vital contribution to Ghana’s protein needs, employment creation, and GDP growth. Despite the sector’s strategic importance, the Chamber noted, aquaculture still faces persistent constraints, with limited access to financing and inadequate infrastructure among the most pressing challenges hampering growth and productivity.
“A well-structured public-private partnership framework will enable Ghana to mobilize the long-term financing needed to upgrade aquaculture infrastructure, strengthen value-chain capacity, and support innovation across the sector,” the Chamber emphasized. It explained that such collaboration could also facilitate the operationalization of the proposed Aquaculture Development Fund, bridging existing gaps that have long impeded the sector’s expansion.
The Chamber outlined key areas where PPPs could make a difference, including the construction of modern marketplaces, improvement of road networks connecting fish farming communities, expansion of digital and internet access to production zones, and investment in research, data systems, and innovative technologies. Additionally, unlocking working capital for hatcheries, feed producers, fish farmers, processors, and traders would allow them to scale operations, modernize production methods, and enhance competitiveness both locally and in regional markets.
Highlighting the broader economic implications, the Chamber urged government to prioritize aquaculture development as a national agenda, noting that a strong sector would not only reduce dependence on imported fish but also create sustainable employment opportunities for thousands of young Ghanaians along the aquaculture value chain.
“As we celebrate the 41st National Farmers Day, the Chamber reaffirms its commitment to working closely with government, development partners, and the private sector to position Ghana as a leading aquaculture hub in the sub-region. Strategic investments and partnerships will drive innovation, strengthen food security, enhance economic resilience, and ensure that the sector contributes meaningfully to shared prosperity for all Ghanaians,” the statement read.
The Chamber concluded by stressing that realizing the sector’s full potential will require a coordinated, long-term approach, combining policy support, private investment, and sustainable practices to transform aquaculture into a high-growth, high-impact industry that benefits both producers and consumers across the country.
