YEA launches fish farming training programme in Ghana

GHANA – The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has partnered with the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho and the Fisheries Commission to introduce a fish farming training programme aimed at creating sustainable jobs for young people in Ghana.

The programme will offer practical training and financial support to 1,000 participants nationwide during its first phase. 

Each trainee will receive a monthly stipend of approximately US$42 to assist with basic living costs throughout the programme.

The YEA will fund the initiative, while the Fisheries Commission will conduct the training sessions, equipping participants with the skills needed to pursue careers in aquaculture. 

The 66 Artillery Regiment will provide its facilities for the training and offer logistical assistance.

To ensure proper oversight, a nine-member committee will manage the programme’s operations and accountability.

At a ceremony in Accra, the agreement was signed by YEA Chief Executive Officer Kofi Baah Agyepong, Director of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Fisheries Commission Dr. Lawrence Armah Ahiah, and 66 Artillery Regiment Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Jalila Ibrahim.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Agyepong emphasized the importance of aquaculture as a sector with significant potential for economic growth and job creation. 

Ghana’s aquaculture industry is largely driven by tilapia, which accounts for over 80% of farmed fish production, with an annual yield of 40,000 tons. 

The broader marine sector includes more than 300 fish species, 17 types of cephalopods, 25 crustacean species, and three types of turtles.

In 2021, Ghana produced 539,242 metric tons of fish, marking a nearly 44% increase compared to 2014. 

Marine fisheries accounted for 394,000 metric tons, representing over 70% of the total output.

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