35 Part of this study will assess the feasibility of the potential for aquaculture activities in the
Western Region. Here, as in other parts of Ghana, there is strong interest in aquaculture development due to robust and growing domestic markets, and due as well to an increasing gap
between supply and demand that is leading to rising real prices. If there is potential for aquaculture in the coastal zone, this could create an important source of alternative livelihood.
The objective of this action is to determine if aquaculture development in Western Region is feasible, and if it is feasible, to indicate which technological and institutional options are likely to
have the best potential. The study will review key factors affecting aquaculture potential:
• the availability of land and private investment for aquaculture in the coastal zone • the availability and cost of inputs particularly fry and feeds, as well as know-how
• the availability of markets, market services and pricing example, could Western Region aquaculture products compete with other fish products in the Accra market, or are there
other markets that can be reached directly from the Western Region? • the suitability of different producer structure options medium-scale investor, contract
farmer scheme, small-holders in producer organizations, etc, as well as different technologies
3.4.4 Capacity Building
Strategy for Fisheries Department
One important hypothesis relative to the long-term success of the ICFG Program is the institutional engagement of the Fisheries Department and their capacity to support and monitor
co-management of the fisheries and marine areas and to regulate the industrial and semi- industrial fishing fleets. Presently, the Regional Fisheries Department has limited resources to
promote and assist the Program with actions aimed at community co-management of coastal resources. In addition, it is apparent that limited resources do not allow for monitoring of fish
catch at the artisanal or industrial levels. If co-management of inshore areas and more regulated industrial fishing are Program objectives, then the status quo both in terms of means and present
roles will not allow for this service to evolve. An expert from CRC will analyze the present capacities of the Fisheries Directorate with a focus on the Western Regional Fisheries
Department. A participatory study will then be conducted with various stakeholders to propose a vision of the role this department should play in the upcoming decade. An action plan will then
be developed that seeks engagement at the national level which supports creative capacity building at the regional level that allows for an evolution of the roles and interventions of the
Department of Fisheries. Timeline of Tasks
Task Q2
Q3 Q4
Assess the capacity building needs at the community, district and national levels
April Develop a gender strategy
July Identify “best bets” – preliminary identification
of potential sectors for livelihood diversification and aquaculture feasibility
May, June
Develop a capacity building strategy for the July
36
Task Q2
Q3 Q4
Fisheries Department Outputs
• An accessible, written, clear and validated practical document that addresses the full suite of capacity building needs and strategies for effective coastal and fisheries governance
• A clear analysis of the potential for private sector aquaculture development in the Western Region including in the event of a positive outcome suggestions on
appropriate technological and institutional arrangements • A review that provides a short-list of sub-sectors, with justification for these choices
including reasons for excluding others and suggestions on next steps • An action plan for capacity building for the fisheries service
• A work plan with clear targets for capacity building
3.6 Design of Phase 2 Program and Year 2 Workplan
