By Hebrews Pouyeli Kumako
The Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Academy has successfully held its second sectional capacity-building session, bringing together fisheries facilitators and key actors to strengthen community-led fisheries management through regular dialogue and co-management.
The four-day capacity-building programme, organised by Mundus Maris in partnership with the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), was held in Elmina in the Central Region from September 28 to October 1, 2026.
The training focused on institutionalising monthly co-management meetings through community dialogue at various landing beaches across Ghana’s four coastal regions — Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western.
About 34 fisheries actors and volunteer facilitators participated in the capacity-building programme, which sought to equip them with practical skills to organise effective community meetings, facilitate inclusive discussions and support fishing communities to collectively identify and address challenges affecting their livelihoods and fisheries resources.
Participants were taken through ten practical steps for holding effective community meetings, with emphasis on community co-creation, collective vision, problem identification, dialogue and joint decision-making.
The training encouraged facilitators to move beyond simply organising meetings and instead create platforms where community members can collectively define their problems, develop shared priorities and agree on practical solutions.
A major component of the training was also the interpretation and application of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), particularly how its provisions on fisheries co-management can be translated into practical action at the community level.
Under Sections 13 and 14 of Act 1146, the Fisheries Commission’s Governing Board may establish co-management committees involving Commission staff, fishing-community members and other relevant stakeholders. Such committees may develop and review operational co-management plans, make recommendations to the Commission, disseminate approved management plans and facilitate the implementation of approved fisheries management measures.
Source News Volta // Elemina
