The initiative is important to provide alternative livelihoods to fishermen due to dwindling marine stocks, reports GhanaWeb.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development will support shrimp cultivation with the necessary legal framework, policies and technical support.
The ministry wants the country to adopt the best method of shrimp cultivation to make the venture competitive and attractive to entrepreneurs.
The minister responsible, Sherry Ayittey, has said that the move would create jobs and wealth and contribute towards the country’s socio-economic development.
The focus of the initiative is to address one critical success factor hindering shrimp farming by establishing larvae laboratories through private partnership.
The Minister announced this during a working tour to some shrimp farms in Brazil to assess their operations, to help Ghana produce a tailored programme but with a global understanding.
Under the scheme, existing and potential farmers will receive inputs and technical credit support at moderate cost with flexible terms of payment.
In addition, an investment forum for Public-Private-Partnership in Aquaculture will also be organised to facilitate provision of basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and potable drinking water to aquaculture priority areas, and also to develop a Regulatory Framework for Accelerated Aquaculture Development.
“We cannot continue to rely on depleting marine stocks hence the pragmatic approach to develop a robust aquaculture project with huge potentials for Ghana,” Ms Ayittey stated.
According to her, in order to achieve the best for the country it is important to augment the domestic production of fish as part of efforts to reduce the importation of fish and fish products.
The project aims to ensure sustainability through the value chain and attract young people to see aquaculture as a viable business.
