Ghana and Türkiye are set to strengthen bilateral cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, with the two countries exploring a new framework for investment, technology transfer and technical collaboration in the sector.
Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture is expected to hold a high-level bilateral meeting with H.E. Ebubekir Gizligider, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters in Rome.
The meeting is intended to make fisheries and aquaculture a key pillar of the growing Ghana-Türkiye economic partnership.
Although diplomatic relations between the two countries date back to 1958, formal cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture has remained largely untapped.
The proposed partnership will seek to leverage Türkiye’s expertise and industrial capacity to support Ghana’s aquaculture sector, particularly in commercial cage farming, hatcheries, feed production and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).
The collaboration is also expected to support Ghana’s efforts to improve food security, create employment for young people and increase foreign exchange earnings through value-added seafood exports.
Focus on technology, research and investment
The talks will cover potential Turkish investment in Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture value chain, as well as technology transfer and private-sector partnerships.
The two sides are also expected to explore joint research programmes involving scientific institutions from both countries. Areas of interest include fish stock assessment, disease prevention and climate-resilient aquaculture.
Another priority is the development of cold-chain and seafood processing infrastructure, with the aim of improving Ghana’s access to the Turkish market while creating opportunities for Turkish businesses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The countries are also considering cooperation in fisheries management, including the use of vessel monitoring systems and data-driven controls to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Technical training and exchange programmes for Ghanaian scientists, extension officers and fish farmers are also expected to form part of the proposed cooperation.
Joint framework proposed
Delegates from Ghana and Türkiye are expected to agree in principle to establish a Ghana-Türkiye Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Cooperation Framework.
A joint working group is expected to identify immediate priorities and begin drafting a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide institutional exchanges and private-sector collaboration.
The initiative is expected to combine Türkiye’s technical expertise with Ghana’s aquatic resources to promote a more resilient and commercially driven fisheries and aquaculture sector.
