Ghana’s Fisheries Policies; Evolution and Performance

Abstract

In 2018, Ghana’s fisheries contributed 1.1% to Gross Domestic Product and provided livelihood support to 2.4 million people. It is crucial for Ghana to build a compelling policy model and to safeguard its precious marine resources. For such an objective to be achieved researchers, the state and other stakeholders must particularly reflect on fisheries policies and outcome. Considering how weak and unstable institutions are in Ghana, this article seeks to analyse this acts and policies enacted by various governments in Ghana, concerning its transformation and execution. This research as well analysis the influence of these policies on the accessibility of marine resources in Ghana and transformed habit and livelihood of fishermen. We gathered even though certain policy guidelines were successful, the entire policy arrangement continues to be a pressing need of improvement because, the fisheries sector was undergoing a decreasing trend as a result illegal and over fishing. We further, discovered that motorization of canoes impacted positively to volume of fish captured and expansion of fishing areas. Nevertheless, the indication of decreasing in volumes of landings observed through the 1980s, alerted the government to consider the importance of exact procedures and regulations in other the safeguard and restore the marine ecosystem and it resources. We proffered a style of policy blueprint founded on stakeholder theory that act on challenges of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Where all stakeholders in the sector must take part in the process of decision making.