The forecourt of Adisadel College Park transformed into a vibrant hub of tradition, innovation, and advocacy as the 2026 Central Regional Fish Fair officially opened on October 9, 2026.
Bringing together traditional authorities, chief fishermen, fish processors, traders, development partners, and government agencies, the two-day event rallied the community under a urgent unified goal:
“Securing the Food Chain: Safe Fish, Certified Processors and Informed Consumers for a Healthy Nation.”
From the Canoe to the Consumer
Opening the ceremony, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, delivered a passionate keynote address highlighting that while catching fish is vital, what happens between landing the catch and serving it at the table dictates its true health and economic value.
“Fish is central to Ghana’s food security, nutrition, and livelihoods,” Minister Arthur declared. “Every fish lost is income lost. Every unsafe fish sold puts lives at risk.
Every investment in better processing is an investment in public health and economic opportunity.”
She emphasized key government priorities, including:
Reducing Post-Harvest Losses: Upgrading fish-smoking technology, improving cold-chain storage, and expanding access to financing, particularly for the women who dominate fish processing and trade.
Enforcing Hygiene and Certification: Partnering with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Environmental Health officers, and MMDAs to sanitize landing beaches and processing sites.
Ending Dangerous Practices: Issuing a strict warning against illegal, unsafe, and unauthorized fish processing methods that jeopardize public health for short-term commercial gain.
A Shared Responsibility Across the Value Chain
The fair provided a platform for leaders across the sector to reinforce that ensuring food safety requires collective action at every stage:
Fisheries Commission: Central Regional Director, Mr. Emmanuel Dovlo, urged processors to embrace food safety certification not as a hurdle, but as a gateway to premium markets, higher profit margins, and protected consumers.
CEWEFIA & Partners: Speaking on behalf of Executive Director Mrs. Victoria C. Koomson, Mr. Nicolas Smith (Head of Programmes) stressed that fish safety extends from the sea to the dinner plate.
He highlighted the Sustainable Ocean Project’s work in delivering technical training, modern processing equipment, and business support.
Regional Administration: Representing Central Regional Minister Hon. Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, Mr. Ebenezer Azasu (Regional Director of Agriculture) emphasized the need to tackle illegal fishing, aquatic pollution, and illegal mining (galamsey) to safeguard marine habitats and secure community livelihoods.
Exhibition and Cultural Highlights
Chaired by Osabarima Dr. Kwesi Attah II, Oguaaman Hen, the opening day combined policy discussions with vibrant cultural celebrations, poetry recitals by local students, and dynamic performances by the Akomapa Group.
Attendees and dignitaries toured an extensive exhibition featuring civil society organizations, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and educational institutions, including Edinaman Senior High School, Eguafo Abrem Senior High School, Cape Coast Technical Institute, and the UCC Centre for Coastal Management.
The day’s events culminated in a live seafood and freshwater culinary showcase, celebrating local dishes prepared under strict food safety and hygiene standards.
The fair continues through October 10 with direct networking sessions connecting fish processors, buyers, and technical equipment vendors, building momentum ahead of the upcoming World Fisheries Day celebrations in Accra on November 21.
