During the conference, Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture met directly with representatives from the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty (IPC), co-organizers of the FAO Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Summit—to align on key priorities before high-level committee deliberations.

The IPC highlighted Ghana as a crucial ally in the global fight for food sovereignty, commending the nation’s active opposition to industrial fishmeal expansion, which directly threatens regional fish stocks, local nutrition, and coastal livelihoods. Key Highlights from the Summit Prioritizing Small-Scale Fisheries: Championing greater protections, financial support, and formal recognition for SSF actors who drive national food security and coastal economies.

Adopting Sustainable Aquaculture Standards: Emphasizing full implementation of the FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture to build climate-resilient aquatic food systems. Community-Centered Governance: Ensuring international investments and policy frameworks directly benefit small-scale fishing communities first.

Ghana continues to demonstrate that strong international partnerships and grassroots empowerment are essential to building a equitable, resilient blue economy.