Seychelles and Ghana discuss strengthening cooperation in fisheries sector |12 May 2023

Seychelles Nation

Seychelles and Ghana have expressed their desire to strengthen their cooperation in the fisheries sector.

This was during a courtesy call last week by the Ghanaian high commissioner to Seychelles, Charles Asuako Owiredu, on the Designated Minister, who is also the Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean François Ferrari.

The meeting on May 4 took place at the ministry’s headquarters at Maison Collet, Victoria.

The high commissioner voiced his optimism for the continued collaboration between Ghana and Seychelles in the fisheries sector and Minister Ferrari conveyed Seychelles’ gratitude to the Ghanaian government for the long-standing relationship between the two nations that dates back to the 1900s.

Moreover, Mr Owiredu stated that Ghana was interested in learning sustainable fisheries practices, including controlling fish stocks and preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) practices.

Further to that, Minister Ferrari emphasised on the importance of creating fishermen-oriented organisations that work in parallel with the national efforts of the government and that the government should involve fishermen in policy-making discussions related to the fisheries sector.

Towards the end of the meeting, the high commissioner was happy to note that there was a growing group of Ghanaian workers at the Indian Ocean Tuna Limited (IOT) company in Seychelles.

He stated he was pleased that Seychelles recognises the hard-working ethics that Ghanaians bring towards the fishing industry.

High Commissioner Owiredu was accompanied by Ernestina Nyarko, the Minister/ Counselor for Information, Public Affairs and Diaspora, and Patricia Boateng-Bannor, the Trade Attaché.  Minister Ferrari was accompanied by Davis Mathiot, Third Secretary and Desk Officer for the Republic of Ghana, and Gabriella Gonthier, Senior International Cooperation Officer.