The Minister for Fisheries being assisted by the Member of Parliament for the Axim Constituency to cut the tape at the entrance of the Processing facility.

Empowering Women in Fisheries: Advancing Equality and Sustainable Livelihoods

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA), commemorated International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 in Axim.

The occasion was used to commission a new fish processing and hostel facility constructed by FAO to support the Government of Ghana to implement the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) and provide a safe and improved environment for fish processors and traders in the Axim enclave. The event recognized the invaluable contributions of women in Ghana’s fisheries sector and the need to promote gender equality and economic empowerment.

The 2025 International Women’s Day theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” highlights the need for collective action to ensure equal opportunities, rights, and empowerment for women in all sectors, including fisheries. Women play a crucial role in the global fisheries value chain, constituting about 70% of the workforce, particularly in post-harvest activities.

The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) on decent work and economic growth, and the SSF Guidelines Chapter 5: Governance of tenure in small-scale fisheries and resource management and Chapter 6: Social development employment and decent work that aims at improving women in fisheries access to better working conditions, economic opportunities, and the necessary resources to enhance their livelihoods.

“We must all commit to empowering our women and girls, especially those in the fisheries post-harvest sector. There is a need to reorganize and empower women's groups for higher recognition and active participation in fisheries governance considering their invaluable contributions, especially in the post-harvest sector,” said Dr Emelia Arthur, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

In a speech read on her behalf by Abigail Kanyi, the FAO Representative to Ghana underscored the importance of recognizing and supporting women in fisheries, stating: “Let us celebrate the remarkable contributions of women, especially those in the fisheries sector, and reaffirm our commitment to building a future where no one is left behind. Together, we can achieve a world of equality, empowerment, and endless possibilities for all.”

To foster participatory management in line with the SSF Guidelines, a Management and Oversight Committee was inaugurated by Dr Emelia Arthur to oversee daily operations and ensure transparency and maintenance of the facility. The committee members have been trained in participatory management, use, and maintenance of the facility, promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility among the stakeholders.

FAO has supported small-scale fishers and fish processors in Ghana through initiatives that enhance sustainable fisheries management, improve post-harvest practices, and promote climate-resilient livelihoods. Under the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Umbrella Programme.