Floating tilapia cage on Lake Volta, Ghana, belonging to Tropo Farms, the leading tilapia producer in West Africa and one of the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Photo: Tropo Farms.
Recently highlighted by the Malabo Montpellier Panel report as one of the countries in Africa showing "considerable success and progress" in developing their fisheries and aquaculture sectors, Ghana's Parliament has taken a further step on that path by passing the 'Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025', which especially clears the way for the growth of aquaculture in the country.
"The passage of the Bill, is a step in the right direction towards streamlining aquaculture governance and encouraging investment in the aquaculture sector," the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana stated, commenting on the news.
In addition, the Chamber - which, earlier this month, established a partnership with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) to promote responsible aquaculture practices in the country - also noted that the passage of the bill comes at a time when aquaculture is emerging as a strategic sector for food security, job creation, and export growth.
"For stakeholders in the aquaculture space, the legislation offers clarity, targeted support, and stronger institutional backing," the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana added.
As mentioned, the new law seeks to promote the sustainable use of Ghana's fisheries resources, with particular attention to the growth and regulation of the aquaculture industry, and is expected to serve to completely reform the regulatory framework governing both sectors in the West African country.
Thus, one of the key provisions of the 'Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025' is the mandate given to the Fisheries Commission to promote and oversee the sustainable development of aquaculture. According to the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana's release, this includes policy formulation, regulation of aquaculture practices, and monitoring of fish farming activities nationwide.
The new law also provides for aquaculture representation in the governance of the sector and broader stakeholder participation by requiring the Fisheries Commission's governing board to have a representative with aquaculture experience.
Moreover, the bill also makes mandatory the appointment to the Commission of a woman with gender, trade, and fish processing expertise, to be nominated by stakeholders, thus showing Ghana's commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive leadership in the fisheries and aquaculture industry.
Likewise, the new bill also allows for the creation of designated aquaculture zones. These zones are expected to support orderly development, reduce land and water use conflicts, and encourage investment by providing safe and regulated areas for aquaculture operations.
Finally, the law also establishes a Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund to support research, training, infrastructure development and, in particular, to provide targeted assistance to small-scale fish farming businesses.
According to the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana, industry stakeholders have welcomed the bill as a progressive step that recognizes the unique needs and growth potential of aquaculture in the sub-Saharan country, described last year by the ASC as a "frontrunner in Africa."
"The legislation sets a clearer path for the growth of aquaculture in Ghana, creating opportunities to improve regulatory oversight, expand support for small-scale producers, and advance responsible fish farming nationwide," the release highlighted.
