The Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Mr. Dominic Anarigide, has announced ambitious plans to revamp and expand the company’s fisheries operations as part of broader efforts to increase fish production and strengthen food security in northern Ghana.
According to Mr. Anarigide, the initiative will focus on rehabilitating existing fish ponds while constructing new ones to enhance output. The strategy will combine both cage fishing systems and traditional pond culture, positioning ICOUR as a key player in the fisheries value chain in the Upper East Region.
“We discussed the need to revamp the fisheries aspect of our operations by rehabilitating our existing fish ponds. We also discussed the need to construct new ones to increase fish production,” Mr. Anarigide stated. “This is a major boost to our plans of increasing fish production using both cage fishing and traditional ponds.”
He explained that the renewed focus on fisheries aligns with the Fisheries Commission’s strategic goal of improving existing ponds and establishing new ones across the country, particularly in response to the rising demand for fish consumption.
The announcement follows a high-level engagement held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at ICOUR’s head office in Navrongo, where Mr. Anarigide received the Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Professor Benjamin Campion. Prof. Campion was accompanied by the Upper East Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, Madam Sarah B. M. Bamie, and the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr. Abdul-Wasiu Fasasi.
During the meeting, the two institutions explored areas of collaboration aimed at revitalizing the fisheries sub-sector in the region. Discussions centered on technical support, infrastructure development, and strategies to maximize the use of irrigation facilities for aquaculture production.
Prof. Benjamin Campion emphasized that strengthening fish production has become a national priority due to increasing demand driven by population growth and changing dietary preferences. He noted that expanding inland aquaculture, especially through pond and cage systems, presents a sustainable pathway to closing the fish supply gap while creating employment opportunities for young people.
“The executive goal of the Fisheries Commission is to improve the sector sustainably, especially in the face of rising fish consumption,” Prof. Campion noted, adding that partnerships with institutions like ICOUR are critical to achieving this objective.
The planned fisheries revamp is expected to complement ICOUR’s core mandate of irrigation development by promoting integrated farming systems that enhance livelihoods for local communities. By leveraging its irrigation infrastructure, ICOUR aims to support year-round fish production, reduce dependence on imported fish, and contribute to regional economic growth.
Mr. Anarigide reaffirmed ICOUR’s commitment to working closely with the Fisheries Commission and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative. He expressed optimism that the collaboration would position the Upper East Region as a hub for sustainable aquaculture development nationwide, particularly in response to the increasing demand.
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