Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is the Minister of Finance
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, says government aims to transform Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture into a modern, sustainable and job-creating sector.
Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament on Thursday, he said the transformation would ensure food security, increase exports, and improve livelihoods in coastal and inland communities.
Dr Forson noted that the passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), marked a turning point for the sector, providing a unified legal framework focused on sustainability, biodiversity protection, and community participation.
He announced that in 2026, the government would introduce new regulations to guide vessel licensing, aquaculture operations, surveillance, and post-harvest practices to ensure compliance and responsible resource use.
Dr Forson said the national fish health systems had been upgraded, with three regional laboratories equipped in Kumasi, Ho, and Koforidua, and a new Aquatic Animal Histopathology Laboratory established through collaboration between the Fisheries Commission and the Veterinary Services Directorate.
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“The University of Ghana’s WACCBIP has been enhanced to support molecular diagnostics for early disease detection and strengthen our biosecurity framework. Cabinet has also approved Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) at Greater Cape Three Points in the Western Region,” he said.
Dr Forson explained that the MPA would ensure long-term protection of marine ecosystems and fish habitats while supporting dependent livelihoods.
He said the government had developed a National Blue Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan to unlock the full potential of the ocean economy.
“The strategy will guide sustainable exploitation of marine and aquatic resources, advance climate resilience and position Ghana as a regional leader in ocean governance, consistent with SDG 14: Life Below Water,” he said.
Addressing post-harvest losses, Dr Forson said government had commenced construction of modern fish markets in Dambai (Oti Region) and Shama (Western Region), each equipped with cold storage, processing and packaging units, ice-making machines, sanitation, health and child-care posts, and security stations.
“The fisheries workforce is being strengthened through education and innovation. The Ghana National Fisheries College at Anomabo will be fully operationalised to commence academic activities in the 2026–2027 academic year,” he said.
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