Ghana plans new fishing port in Shama
Project aims to improve fish handling, create jobs, and strengthen coastal infrastructure
GHANA – Ghana is moving forward with plans to develop a modern fishing port in the Shama district of the Western Region as part of efforts to upgrade fisheries infrastructure and support economic activity in coastal communities.
The project was announced by Emelia Arthur on June 10, with the minister stating that preparations for the facility have reached an advanced stage.
According to the government, the proposed port is expected to improve fish landing and handling operations, create employment opportunities, and support economic development in the surrounding area.
Arthur said the initiative is part of broader efforts to expand employment in the fisheries sector and improve livelihoods in coastal communities that depend heavily on fishing.
Although authorities have not yet disclosed the project’s budget or construction timeline, the development is expected to reinforce the Western Region’s role as one of Ghana’s key fishing centres.
Data from the Ghana Fisheries Commission show that the Western Region accounts for 33% of the country’s fish landing sites and 25% of its fisheries and port infrastructure.
Addressing pressure on fish stocks
The planned investment comes as Ghana’s fisheries sector continues to face declining fish catches, with production remaining below the record 496,770 tonnes reported in 1999.
According to data compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Ghana’s fish catches fell to 384,370 tonnes in 2023, representing a 22.6% decline from peak levels.
Industry stakeholders have linked the reduction in catches to overfishing, driven by growth in artisanal, semi-industrial, and industrial fishing fleets, as well as continued illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Climate-related changes affecting marine ecosystems have also been identified as a factor, with shifting fish migration patterns and reduced productivity in coastal waters placing additional pressure on fish stocks.
Experts have further pointed to the country’s heavy reliance on artisanal fishing operations, which often depend on numerous landing sites, complicating efforts to monitor fishing activity and manage resources effectively.
Against this backdrop, the proposed Shama fishing port is expected to provide more structured infrastructure for fish handling and landing activities while supporting broader efforts to improve fisheries management and resource oversight.
The Ghanaian fishing fleet currently comprises about 14,323 vessels, according to the latest estimates from the Fisheries Commission, with approximately 97% operating in the artisanal segment.
The country has around 263 fish landing sites spread across four coastal regions.
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