Accra, Ghana – June 7, 2025
Ghana risks losing access to the lucrative European Union (EU) fish market if immediate reforms are not implemented to combat illegal fishing practices. The country has already received two yellow card warnings from the EU—in 2013 and 2021—and failure to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by 2026 could result in a red card, effectively banning Ghana’s fish exports to the EU.
This stark warning was issued by Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Aquaculture, and Cocoa Affairs, during a stakeholder engagement session held in Accra to review a new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill.
Urgent Need for Legislation
Dr. Jasaw explained that the draft bill is aimed at restoring order in Ghana’s troubled fishing sector and aligning with international standards. He stressed the urgency of stakeholder input to ensure the legislation meets EU compliance benchmarks and prevents a red card designation in the near future.
“The country was cited for IUU fishing on both occasions, and we cannot afford a third strike. The draft bill must be finalised, passed, and implemented quickly,” Dr. Jasaw said.
Three Million Ghanaians at Risk
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, in her remarks, warned of the severe economic consequences of a potential EU ban. She noted that over three million Ghanaians depend on the fisheries value chain, and the EU remains one of Ghana’s most important fish export markets.
“A red card will not only affect our export revenues but will devastate the livelihoods of millions,” she cautioned.
Mrs. Arthur confirmed that the bill had been laid before Parliament under a certificate of urgency and will be submitted to the EU and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for additional review before being passed into law.
Stakeholder Feedback
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed concern over poor enforcement of regulations and called for stricter penalties against illegal operators, especially foreign vessel captains. Some advocated for prosecution under Ghanaian law instead of simple repatriation, arguing that harsher consequences would help curb future violations.
About the Fisheries Bill
The new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, which was previously abandoned when the last Parliament lapsed, is now under active consideration. The bill contains 167 clauses and 170 sections and addresses issues including:
- Inland fisheries management
- Aquaculture regulation
- Fishing offences and penalties
- Monitoring and enforcement
The passage and implementation of the bill is expected to serve as a cornerstone in sanitising Ghana’s fishing sector, protecting marine resources, and securing continued access to international markets.
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