• Ghana discusses aquaculture partnership with a Czech university delegation

• Talks focus on research, skills, and sustainable fish farming

• Aquaculture output has nearly doubled in Ghana since 2019

Ghana is exploring new cooperation opportunities with the Czech Republic in the aquaculture sector. On January 14, Ghana’s Fisheries Commission said it had received a delegation from the University of South Bohemia, based in the Czech Republic, to discuss the foundations of a potential partnership.

In a statement published on its website, the agency in charge of implementing policies of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture said the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation at both academic and sectoral levels. Areas covered included research, capacity building, innovation, and the promotion of sustainable aquaculture practices.

The initiative comes as Ghana seeks to turn aquaculture into a strategic driver of food security and job creation. Despite strong progress in recent years, the sector’s contribution to domestic fish supply remains limited.

Official data show that Ghana’s aquaculture production has almost doubled, rising from 52,360 tons in 2019 to 100,000 tons in 2023. With this increase, aquaculture now accounts for about 20% of total fish output, estimated at 484,412 tons in 2023.

To sustain this growth momentum, Ghanaian authorities announced in November their plans to set up a dedicated aquaculture development fund. The initiative aims to improve access to financing, strengthen infrastructure, and accelerate research and technology transfer.

Against this backdrop, the move to engage the Czech Republic is not incidental. The country is recognized in Europe for its long-standing tradition of freshwater fish farming, particularly pond-based carp production, as well as for its academic expertise in sustainable aquaculture. The Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters at the University of South Bohemia is widely regarded as a European reference for applied research on aquaculture systems management, fish reproduction, and the adaptation of farming practices to environmental constraints.

It remains to be seen whether this cooperation will lead to concrete initiatives benefiting Ghana’s aquaculture industry. Aquaculture production in the country is currently dominated by Nile tilapia and catfish.

Stéphanas Assocle