Ministry sets up committee to draft fisheries policy

Accra, Sept. 14, GNA - The Ministry of Fisheries on Tuesday inaugurated an 11-eleven-member technical committee to draft a Fisheries Policy for the country.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Department on Wednesday said Mr Daniel Dugan, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, would chair the Committee, which has six months to submit its report.

Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries, said there was the need to draw a comprehensive policy for the Ministry to enhance the performance in the fishing industry.

She said despite problems with accommodation and personnel the Ministry had been working to handle issues on fisheries since it assumed these responsibilities from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The Minister suggested that the document should include the rationale, vision and goals of the Sector, the present state of affairs, constraints and the way forward.

She also recommended that the document should include a legal and institutional framework to conserve resources as well as an alternative livelihood development for fishermen.

Members of the Committee are Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr Eric Kwei and Dr Joseph Adumua Bossman, gisheries consultants, Dr E.K. Abban, Fisheries expert with the Water Research Institute, the Deputy Director of fisheries, Assistant Director (Research Division), Assistant Director (Inland), Assistant Director (Aquaculture), Assistant Economic Planning Officer, all of the Fisheries Department. The Director of policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the ministry is the Convener/Secretary.