Ga Mantse calls for collective action to restore Ghana’s fisheries sector

The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has called for an urgent national collaboration to restore Ghana’s declining fisheries sector.

He warned that pollution, illegal fishing practices, and climate pressures are pushing marine ecosystems to the brink.

Speaking at the 2025 National Conference of Chief Fishermen and Queen Fishmongers, held at the Accra International Conference Centre, the Ga King said the country can no longer ignore the mounting threats facing coastal communities and the fishing industry.

He noted that plastic pollution has become one of the most severe challenges, revealing that many fishermen now “return from sea with plastic bottles and bags instead of the fish their families depend on.”

According to him, the interaction between plastics and seawater produces corrosive chemicals that accelerate ocean acidification, damage coral reefs, destroy fish habitats, and disrupt natural spawning grounds.

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II also raised concerns over deep-sea trawling—particularly by foreign vessels—stating that such practices have “swept clean” the ocean floor, leading to low yields for local fishermen and threatening the sustainability of fish stocks.

The Ga Mantse emphasized that safeguarding Ghana’s fisheries requires a blend of indigenous knowledge and modern science.

Citing the long-held Ga fishing traditions, he referenced documented practices in which fishermen relied on more than 80 star systems to determine tides, navigate waters, and perform important cultural rites.

“In the past, our fishing communities protected their waters through norms and traditions that encouraged responsible harvesting,” he said.

“It is time to revive that spirit of collective responsibility.”

The Ga King urged stakeholders to help reset the fisheries sector by strengthening compliance, eliminating illegal and unregulated practices, preserving traditional norms, reducing land- and sea-based pollution, and building resilience against climate change.

“This conference gives us the opportunity to right the wrongs and chart a sustainable path forward,” he said.

“We must combine international agreements, national policies, and individual actions to protect our marine resources for generations to come.”

The National Conference of Chief Fishermen and Queen Fishmongers brought together traditional leaders, policymakers, development partners, and civil society groups to discuss strategies for safeguarding Ghana’s coastal and marine environment.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith