The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, has engaged with a delegation from the Accountability Research Center (ARC), based at American University in Washington, D.C., to discuss collaborative interventions aimed at enhancing sustainable governance in Ghana’s fisheries sector.

The ARC delegation, led by Professor Judy Gearhart of the School of International Service, paid a courtesy call on the Minister to explore strategic approaches that support transparency, accountability, and innovation in fisheries management. Commending Ghana for its recent progress, Professor Gearhart described the country as a “success story in fisheries governance,” citing key milestones such as the passage of the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Law.

As part of the visit, the ARC extended a formal invitation to the Minister to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming Fisher’s Learning Exchange Convening Workshop, slated to be held at the AH Hotel in Accra. The Hon. Minister graciously accepted the invitation and expressed appreciation to the ARC for the recognition of Ghana’s efforts.

In her remarks, Hon. Emelia Arthur outlined her vision for the sector, emphasizing the integration of traditional and indigenous knowledge systems into modern fisheries management to improve compliance and enforcement. She also reiterated her strong commitment to tackling marine and coastal pollution through youth-led initiatives focused on environmental restoration and sustainability.

The meeting underscored the vital role that partnerships between academic institutions and government agencies play in advancing inclusive and resilient fisheries governance. Both parties reaffirmed their readiness to collaborate further in promoting knowledge sharing and evidence-based policies that safeguard the future of Ghana’s marine resources.