Ghana Opens Blue Food Innovation Hub to Boost Aquaculture Investment

Ghana has launched a Blue Food Innovation Hub in partnership with the World Economic Forum to strengthen innovation and attract investment in the country’s aquaculture sector. The facility, the first of its kind in Africa, will be managed by the Ghanaian Chamber of Aquaculture in Accra.

Source: agricjournalist

The hub is designed to bring together stakeholders across the seafood value chain, including researchers, investors, policymakers and startups. The goal is to share knowledge on improved fish farming methods, reduce production losses and encourage greater private investment in aquaculture.

Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, said the hub will connect research, industry and policy to produce practical results for communities involved in aquaculture. She noted that the initiative will help translate ideas and research into real solutions for the sector.

Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana, Jacob Adzikah, said the organization will lead the management of the hub and support efforts to strengthen industry capacity. He added that the initiative will promote innovation, expand market access, improve financing opportunities and create jobs within the aquaculture industry.

The World Economic Forum said the new hub will support the use of technology and innovation across seafood production, processing and distribution. According to the organization, the platform is expected to reduce losses, improve competitiveness and expand access to affordable and sustainable seafood.

The launch comes as Ghana faces several challenges in growing its aquaculture sector. These include high business exit rates, limited new entrants and low levels of both private and public investment. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development also reports uneven growth in fish production.

Authorities say the hub will support the country’s aquaculture development targets outlined in the National Aquaculture Development Plan for 2024 to 2028. Under the plan, Ghana aims to increase commercial farmed fish production from 116,100 metric tons recorded in 2023 to 238,700 metric tons by 2028, with an average annual growth rate of 15.5 percent.

The plan also targets an increase in the share of commercially farmed fish in the national market from 14 percent recorded in 2021 to 25 percent within the same period.