Ghana launches fisheries project to align with WTO subsidy rules
Authorities say the country loses more than US$23.7 million annually to unlawful fishing activities
GHANA – Ghana has introduced a new three-year fisheries management programme aimed at meeting requirements under the World Trade Organisation agreement on fisheries subsidies, according to the country’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The initiative, which was officially launched on May 18, is designed to help the country improve oversight of fisheries resources while addressing illegal fishing practices that continue to affect the sector, which contributes around 4% to national gross domestic product and supports nearly 10% of the population through jobs and income.
The WTO fisheries subsidies agreement, which entered into force in September 2025, restricts government subsidies linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as well as financial support tied to depleted fish stocks and fishing activities conducted in unregulated areas of the high seas.
Focus on fisheries oversight
Under the programme, authorities plan to monitor subsidy distribution, evaluate the condition of fish stocks, improve governance within the fisheries sector, address inequalities in the fisheries value chain, and support livelihoods in coastal communities that depend on fishing.
The project is financed by the WTO Fisheries Fund and carried out in partnership with Global Fisheries and Resilience Action, an Accra-based organisation involved in fisheries sustainability and coastal resilience programmes.
In addition, the government has formed an 11-member steering committee tasked with supervising implementation through monthly coordination meetings, consultations with stakeholders and quarterly reviews intended to measure progress toward compliance with WTO obligations.
Emelia Arthur said the project is intended to help Ghana fulfil its international obligations while maintaining the long-term productivity of the fisheries sector and protecting economic activities linked to coastal communities.
Illegal fishing losses persist
Government figures show that Ghana records annual fish production of more than 400,000 tonnes, although authorities estimate that illegal fishing practices result in yearly losses exceeding US$23.7 million.
According to WTO data, more than 60% of fisheries subsidies provided globally are considered harmful to marine resources because they contribute to overfishing and the depletion of fish populations.
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