The government has launched a new aquaculture initiative in the Shama Municipality of the Western Region aimed at converting abandoned clay and quarry pits into productive fish farming sites.
The project, known as the Komfueku-Shama Aquaculture Project, was unveiled by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Madam Emelia Arthur, in partnership with R&B Farms. It is designed to transform unused and hazardous excavation sites into viable aquaculture centres to boost fish production, create jobs, and support local economic development.
Speaking at the launch at Komfueku, Madam Arthur said Ghana’s fisheries sector is under increasing pressure from declining marine resources and climate change impacts, making aquaculture expansion a key national priority.
She noted that developing inland fish farming systems would help reduce reliance on fish imports, improve food security, and expand employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women.
Madam Arthur described the initiative as a potential national model, highlighting the possibility of replicating similar projects in other parts of the country where abandoned pits exist.
“What excites me most about this project is its potential for replication,” she said, adding that successful implementation could provide a blueprint for sustainable aquaculture development nationwide.
She commended R&B Farms for investing in the project, stressing that private sector participation remains crucial to advancing innovation and growth in Ghana’s Blue Economy agenda.
Mr Benjamin Turkson, Co-Founder of R&B Farms, said the initiative would be expanded to other communities including Anto, Supomu-Dunkwa and Daboase Junction after the pilot phase.
He explained that beyond fish production, the project aims to address unemployment and reduce the risks posed by abandoned pits, which have become safety hazards in some communities.
He also called for broader government support to use aquaculture as a tool to create jobs and discourage illegal mining activities.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nelson, in a statement read on his behalf, said the project aligns with government’s strategy to promote sustainable aquaculture, strengthen food security, and drive economic empowerment while protecting the environment.
He urged traditional authorities and local assemblies to support the initiative by helping convert abandoned sites into productive economic assets for community development.
