Fish production next to Ghana's cocoa and gold - Investor

Navrongo (UER), March 17, GNA - Mr Peter Schaeffers, a Dutch investor based in Navrongo on Wednesday said the country stood the chance of being among the world's biggest players in the fish production, if serious attention was paid to the fishing industry.

"Gold and cocoa should not be the only means of Ghana's economic resources," he said, adding that, fish was another major source of income, which could equally generate income as much as cocoa and gold. Mr Schaeffers, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEWCO Abuga and Peter International (NEWCO A. P. I), a fish producing company, established in Navrongo in 2004 said, there was vast land and already existing facilities in some parts of the country, particularly the Northern sector for fish production.

He told the GNA in an interview at Navrongo on Wednesday that, ignorance and the failure of some farmers to seek technical advice from experts were some of the factors holding sway to the progress of fish production in the country.

Mr Schaeffers said Israel, which is one of the leading producers of fish in the world had the same facilities as existing in Ghana and that, there was the need to pay attention to the fishing industry, which he said could gain equal market as gold and cocoa.

He said tilapia was in high demand both in Ghana and Europe due to its nutritional content and expressed the hope that with the creation of the new Ministry of Fisheries by the NPP government, the sector would improve.

He said the north was a favourable place for investments, saying, "I am enjoying the hospitability of the people there and have no problem with communication" and called on other investors to explore the north, since there was vast land.

Mr Schaeffers commended the staff and management of the Ghana Telecom (GT) in Bolgatanga for initiating moves to interact with some investors and explaining to them in detail the easy way to use GT facilities to connect to the Internet at very reduced rates.

He said due to the favourable conditions in the area, he was in constant torch with other Dutch investors, who have also expressed similar interest in coming to Navrongo to invest, which he said would provide employment for the people there.