• Flosell Limited plans Ghana’s first commercial-scale marine aquaculture project in partnership with Norwegian firms.
• The project will begin site installation in Q2 2026, with first harvest expected in Q4 2027.
• Ghana faces an annual fresh fish supply deficit of nearly 700,000 tonnes despite aquaculture output doubling since 2019.

Flosell Limited has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to develop large-scale marine fish farming. The ministry announced on Monday, February 9, that the initiative would constitute Ghana’s first commercial marine aquaculture operation.

The company plans to farm fish in marine waters using floating circular cages and hatcheries. Company officials said they are implementing the initiative in collaboration with Norwegian partners who provide global expertise and proven technologies in the sector.

The company has not disclosed the investment cost. However, developers will begin site installation in the second quarter of 2026 and expect the first harvest in the fourth quarter of 2027. The first phase will cover 10 marine concessions, starting in Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.

A Turning Point for Aquaculture Development in Ghana?

Marine aquaculture would mark a structural shift for a sector that has remained dominated by cage farming on Lake Volta and pond-based systems. Offshore farming would diversify production zones and reduce sanitary risks linked to the concentration of freshwater farms. Offshore systems would also limit exposure to human-induced pollution, reduce conflicts with other coastal activities and improve parasite control.

Producers can achieve higher volumes and stronger productivity per farming unit because marine waters offer stable conditions and constant water renewal. Offshore aquaculture would also enable the production of higher-value marine species such as salmon, sea bream and sea bass. Producers would therefore diversify supply beyond tilapia and catfish, which dominate inland aquaculture. Marine species also attract strong demand in regional and international markets and could support export growth and foreign exchange earnings.

Toward Stronger Production Capacity

If implemented, the Flosell Limited project could provide a model for additional private sector investment in large-scale marine aquaculture in the coming years.

“This project marks an important milestone towards expanding sustainable marine aquaculture in Ghana, strengthening local production capacity and promoting the country’s blue economy agenda,” the company said in a statement published on its website.

Ghana could increase aquaculture’s contribution to domestic fish supply by diversifying production systems beyond conventional models. Policymakers aim to reduce the gap between supply and demand in the domestic fish market while easing pressure on wild fish stocks.

Data from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development showed that aquaculture production nearly doubled from 52,360 tonnes in 2019 to 100,000 tonnes in 2023. However, aquaculture accounted for only about 20% of total fish production, which reached 484,412 tonnes in 2023, while capture fisheries supplied the remainder.

Ghana records annual per capita fish consumption of 24.6 kilograms. Official data indicate that the country faces an annual fresh fish supply deficit of nearly 700,000 tonnes.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum