The Fisheries Sector in Ghana: A Political Economy Analysis

Abstract

The fishery sector of Ghana is beset with problems, including widespread illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.This report analyses the political economy of fisheries in Ghana, focusing on the power and interests of key actors in the sector and the constraints and opportunities faced by the government in addressing the existing challenges.

There are three main challenges facing the sector. The first is limited administrative capacity, including limited knowledge of actual catches. The second is a lack of trust in authorities and lack of alternative livelihoods for fishing communities. The third and most important is that there are strong political interests that prevent the implementation of more sustainable fisheries management, including risks of electoral losses and resistance from political elites who profit from overfishing.