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Ghana’s tuna industry is facing growing pressure from high operating costs, heavy taxes and limited government support, Vice Chairman of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), Richster Amarh Amarfio, has warned.
According to him, the challenges have become so severe that Ghana’s pole-line fishing sub-sector has effectively collapsed, with no pole-line vessel currently operating in the country.
Mr Amarfio said the rising cost of operations, particularly fuel, has placed a major financial burden on tuna fishing companies.
He explained that fishing vessels receive no fuel support and must purchase fuel at prevailing market prices. A single vessel, he noted, can consume about 270,000 litres of fuel, making fuel expenditure one of the industry’s biggest challenges.
Beyond fuel, he said operators are also confronted with taxes on fish stocks, spare parts and equipment, despite fishing being classified under the agricultural sector.
High port charges, dry-docking expenses and the cost of maritime security services required for vessels operating in international waters are also adding to the financial strain.
“Basically, it looks like we’ve been left on our own. Nobody actually cares what is happening within our industry and we are collapsing gradually,”
He is therefore calling for deliberate government intervention to protect the tuna industry and help unlock its economic potential.
Mr Amarfio said Ghana’s tuna industry generates more than US$200 million in foreign exchange annually, making its sustainability important to the wider economy.
He proposed the establishment of a dedicated development authority for the fisheries sector to provide specialised support and coordinate efforts to strengthen the industry.
He also called for increased investment in tuna research and value addition, arguing that the industry has opportunities beyond the sale of fish, including the production of fish oil, fish meal and other products.
Another concern raised by Mr Amarfio is the shortage of trained Ghanaian crew members. He said the industry continues to depend heavily on ageing Korean workers because of limited local expertise.
He called for greater investment in the training and certification of Ghanaian captains and engineers to gradually localise the industry.
According to him, the Regional Maritime University currently lacks the necessary infrastructure and training vessel to adequately prepare personnel specifically for the fishing industry.
“We can train our crew and certify them,” he said, stressing the need for a deliberate national effort to develop local skills and rebuild Ghana’s tuna sector.