The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has unveiled a comprehensive plan to safeguard Ghanaian fishermen amid growing piracy attacks at sea.
In recent weeks, several artisanal fishermen were abducted offshore, with their equipment stolen by pirates. While the government has replaced lost gear through a presidential directive, concerns over future attacks remain high.
Speaking before the Government Assurance Committee, Fisheries Minister Emelia Arthur reassured fishermen that decisive steps are being taken to ensure their safety.
“I want to assure our fishermen and the public that significant efforts are underway to address maritime piracy. Some aspects of this initiative involve national security and cannot be disclosed publicly, but much is being done to ensure our fishermen can go to sea and return safely,” she said.
A central component of the plan involves licensing fishing vessels. While industrial and semi-industrial fleets have long been licensed, artisanal fleets have not been fully included. The ministry is now rolling out a licensing process for artisanal fishermen for the first time.
The ministry is also equipping vessels with transponders to monitor their location at sea and upgrading communication systems. Minister Arthur explained that smartphone signals are often lost beyond certain distances offshore, leaving many fishermen with limited or no contact. The new measures will ensure constant communication and stronger surveillance.
Additionally, insurance and pension schemes are being introduced to further protect the welfare of fishermen.
“We remain fully committed to the safety and welfare of all our fishermen,” the minister emphasised.