The German development agency, GIZ, has handed over the final batch of water testing equipment to the Fisheries Commission in Takoradi as part of efforts to strengthen aquaculture development in the Western Region.
The presentation formed part of a long-standing partnership between GIZ, the Fisheries Commission, and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development aimed at promoting fish farming, creating jobs, and improving food security in coastal communities.
The equipment, which includes water quality testing tools, was officially received by the Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission during a brief ceremony at the commission’s office in Takoradi.
Speaking before the handover, GIZ Team Leader, Mr. John Duti, said the support package marks the final phase of a project funded by the German government through GIZ under the Employment for Sustainable Development in Africa (E4D) programme.
According to him, the programme, which ended in October 2023, was implemented in collaboration with both public and private institutions, as well as non-governmental actors, to drive sustainable development initiatives.
Mr. Duti explained that additional support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) enabled the project to focus specifically on promoting aquaculture in the Western Region. He noted that although GIZ had other interventions across the region, the aquaculture component was strategically directed to the Western coastal belt to unlock its economic potential.
He disclosed that the programme was implemented in eight districts, including Jomoro, Ellembelle and Nzema East, where beneficiaries received technical support to establish and expand fish farms.
“The purpose was to develop and strengthen aquaculture along Ghana’s western belt, create decent jobs, help people earn sustainable incomes, and improve food security,” Mr. Duti stated.
He added that the project also sought to build the business capacities of beneficiaries to enable them run profitable and sustainable aquaculture enterprises.
Earlier, the GIZ delegation, which included Eunice Adjapong, B. Abbey and Peter Koomson toured some beneficiary farms in the region to assess the impact of the intervention and interact with fish farmers who had received support under the programme.
Officials of the Fisheries Commission expressed appreciation for the partnership, describing the donated equipment as timely support that would enhance monitoring of water quality and improve productivity within the aquaculture sector.
Prof. Benjamin Betley Campion, Executive director of Fisheries Commission who received the device said aquaculture project was a huge investment and the water testing device would go a long way to save the investments of farmers. He said one challenge that hinders against fish farming was dirty water and with the device, it would go a long way to help sustain the project.
The collaboration is expected to leave a lasting impact on fish farming communities in the Western Region as stakeholders continue efforts to grow Ghana’s aquaculture industry and reduce dependence on fish imports.
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