The Upper East Region has significant potential for fisheries and aquaculture development, according to the Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Prof. Benjamin Campion.
During a visit to the region, Prof. Campion highlighted opportunities in both capture fisheries and aquaculture, citing the presence of numerous impoundments and water bodies.
“The Upper East Region holds huge potential for fisheries and aquaculture. By fisheries, I am referring to capture fisheries, because there are many impoundments. One of the ways we can enhance these fisheries is through improved restocking,” he said.
The Commission plans to intensify the restocking of tilapia and catfish fingerlings in community-managed impoundments and institutional water bodies to promote food security and improve livelihoods. Prof. Campion also encouraged residents to take advantage of permanent water sources, such as boreholes, to establish cage aquaculture projects that can create jobs and provide reliable sources of protein.
“We produce a lot of fingerlings—tilapia and catfish—which can be used to restock communities that are ready to manage them. In addition to that, many of these impoundments hold water throughout the year,” he added.
He noted that the initiative targets households, including elderly persons, to engage in small-scale aquaculture as a way of promoting physical activity and generating income. The Fisheries Commission aims to drive significant growth in the aquaculture sector in the Upper East Region this year.
Prof. Campion also emphasized the need to improve and expand the Commission’s only hatchery facility serving the five regions of northern Ghana, located in the Vea community in the Bongo District.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
