Many Ghanaians are likely to face hunger and malnutrition by 2030 due to an expected decline in national fish production, according to Professor Berchie Asiedu, Dean of the School of Natural Resources at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).
He noted that while the nation’s fish consumption is projected to reach 888,096 tonnes by 2030, domestic fish production is anticipated to meet only about 43 percent of this demand.
“This clearly indicates that the demand for fish consumption is expected to exceed national supply,” Prof. Asiedu explained.
At the current growth rate, per capita fish consumption is projected to decrease from 28 kg in 2018 to 23.9 kg in 2030. Prof. Asiedu noted, “While fish consumption will increase, people will be eating less fish.”
Prof. Asiedu shared these insights during a research update session organized by the School of Natural Resources at the University in Sunyani.
The event, themed “Managing our Natural Resources: Academia-Industry Partnership for Sustainable National Development,” was attended by natural resources experts.
He highlighted that fish, the cheapest and most consumed animal protein in Ghana (60 percent), has seen a rapid increase in demand. From 2010 to 2020, fish demand grew from 960,000 tonnes to 1.1 million tonnes, with per capita consumption rising from 24.2 kg to 27.9 kg at a rate of 1.6 percent per annum.
Given the disparity between production and consumption trends, Prof. Asiedu called for urgent policies to accelerate aquaculture development in the country. He also emphasized the need to improve fisheries management practices and explore adaptive strategies to enhance fishers’ capacity to cope with climate change.
In a subsequent interview, Mr. Hanson Kodzo Dzamefe, Bono Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, expressed concern over Ghana’s heavy reliance on marine fish and urged private-sector collaboration to develop the aquaculture sector.
He highlighted the significant potential of aquaculture for job creation and food security, noting that the inland fishing value chain could generate millions of jobs with proper investment.
Mr. Dzamefe encouraged unemployed youth and graduates to engage in commercial fish production, emphasizing that aquaculture is a lucrative business that can improve livelihoods and bolster national food security.
