President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday 7th March officially opened the 7th Meeting of OACPS Ministers in Fisheries and Aquaculture, at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana.
The Host Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development of Ghana, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson in her address welcomed everyone while stating that due to the rate of marine and ocean degradation, that has significantly affected the economy, the OACPS Summit is dear to Ghana.
She said that she is hoping the proposed objectives cited in the course of the Summit, will bring about a road map to the development and future of fisheries and aquaculture.
Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson reminded all that the sustainable development and growth of the fisheries and aquaculture development is a shared commitment and also a support to OACPS.
Making a statement on behalf of the European Union, representative
Charlina Vitcheva made emphasis on their partnership with the OACPS.
She said there is no better way to build relationships, foster open discussions, and address issues of common concern like the fate of the ocean and the contribution of the fisheries sector other than working together.
Secretary General of OACPS expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana for hosting this Summit, while thanking Member States and Regional Organizations for their support during such a period when the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a greater spotlight on the necessity for increased attention to issues related to food security, the sustainable management of our fisheries and aquaculture resources.
Delivering his keynote address and officially opening the Meeting,
His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, began by stating that every leading organization has a ‘Blue Economy Agenda’, to be achieved by a stated year, be it the United Nations, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the African Union or the European Union.
Based on this year’s theme of Catalyzing Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Development for the future, the President Akufo-Addo said each word is relevant as it connotes a sense of urgency, responsibility, advancement, and uplifting from poverty, adding that all these targets must be attained.
The declaration of 2021-2030 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Development by the United Nations he said heightens the importance of this Summit.
Concluding, President Akufo-Addo stated that it is important that we re-visit the alternative of fisheries as our lands and water resources are under threat from forces such as desertification, overgrazing, migration, rising sea levels, flooding, etc. We must reclaim our water bodies.
The Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific states (OACPS) brought together government Ministers of Fisheries from Countries such as Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Norway, Netherlands, Togo, Turkey and more.
In attendance also were members of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana.
