Emelia Arthur
Ghana has been officially recognised as a Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) Implementing Country after the FiTI International Board endorsed the country’s initial efforts to implement the FiTI Standard.
The recognition reflects the steps taken by Ghana’s national authorities to establish an enabling environment for greater transparency and stakeholder participation in the management of the country’s fisheries sector.
The FiTI International Board said it was particularly satisfied with Ghana’s application, which demonstrated compliance with all the requirements under Section C of the FiTI Standard.
The Board also noted that the process was completed within the agreed timelines and in a professional, participatory and inclusive manner.
As part of its initial progress, Ghana has begun publishing fisheries information online through a new Fisheries Information System (FIS) embedded in the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture’s website.
The development comes three years after the FiTI conducted a transparency assessment of Ghana. The assessment found that although some fisheries-related information was being published by national authorities, much of the information required for open and inclusive fisheries management remained inaccessible.
The FiTI said Ghana’s completion of the milestone lays the foundation for the country to benefit from a more transparent and inclusive fisheries sector by demonstrating adherence to the FiTI Standard’s transparency requirements.
The next major step is for Ghana to publish its first FiTI Report in accordance with Section D.1 of the FiTI Standard.
Ghana’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), in collaboration with the FiTI International Secretariat, is required to publish the report within one year of Ghana becoming a FiTI Implementing Country.
The first report must therefore be published by August 2027 and will contain information relating to the 2026 calendar year. Subsequent FiTI reports are expected to be published annually until Ghana achieves Compliance Eligibility, in accordance with Section H.1 of the FiTI Standard.
The FiTI International Board congratulated the leadership of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA), Ghana’s National Focal Point, Danny Mohammed, members of Ghana’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group and others involved in the process.
The Board said it was confident that Ghana’s decision to join and implement the Fisheries Transparency Initiative would strengthen existing efforts to improve the management of the country’s marine fisheries resources.
