The Minister for Fishes and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson has disclosed that her outfit is partnering with food research institutions to improve value addition in the sector.
She indicated that as a result of the collaboration, new fish production including fish powder, fish sausage and others have been developed and up-takers are being encouraged to commercialise the products.
She added the ministry in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration hosted the 7th meeting with the ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture of the organization of African Caribbean and Pacific states.
Hon. Hawa Koomson added the meeting brought together high-level policymakers and experts from the 79-member state to discuss pertinent issues in the sector.
She again disclosed the ministry has launched to mark the celebration of IFA 2022 adding that the ministry organized the National fish festival on the 24th and 25th of November 2022 at the black stars square to commemorate World Fishes day.
Speaking on the theme “Accelerating Agriculture Development Through Value Addition” at the 38th national Farmers’ day celebration in Koforidua, the minister revealed it is appropriate as it offers the opportunity to bring to the fourth the need to transform and address post-production challenges the sector
Hon. Hawa Koomson said that fish value addition in Ghana is largely small-scale in the application of traditional processing methods such as salting, smoking, drying and frying which often does not meet international and EU-approved standards, using the hazards analyzing critical control point method.
She stated the accelerating development of the fish sector through value addition will require the provision of improved processing technologies that need international standards for expertise and consumption.
She added value addition requires developing the capacity of the traditional food processors who are mostly women.
Also, the minister reaffirmed that the ministry has put in place measures to ensure the sustainable exportation of fish resources in the country adding that 2022 has been a year for the fish and aquaculture sector.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Solomon Nartey
