BTA Admin 
Ghana’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has warned fish processors against using illegal and unsafe processing methods, saying it will step up enforcement to protect consumers and improve food safety across the fisheries sector.
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, said the ministry would not hesitate to act against practices that compromise fish quality, expose consumers to health risks and undermine public health.
She said the move was intended to reduce post-harvest losses, limit contamination and food poisoning, and ensure that fish processed in Ghana meets recognised food safety standards.
Ms Arthur gave the warning while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Central Regional Fish Fair on October 9. The event focused on building grassroots capacity for a sustainable ocean economy in Ghana.
Speaking on the theme, “Securing the Food Chain: Safe Fish, Certified Processors and Informed Consumers for a Healthy Nation,” she called for an end to unauthorised and dangerous fish processing practices.
“Let me be equally clear, we must put an end to illegal, unsafe, and unauthorized fish processing methods,” she said.
Poor Fish Handling Threatens Health and Livelihoods
The minister said Ghana continued to lose valuable fish because of poor handling, inadequate storage facilities and inefficient processing methods.
These challenges can reduce the quality of fish, increase waste and undermine the incomes of people who depend on the sector for their livelihoods.
“Every fish lost is income lost. Every unsafe fish sold puts lives at risk,” Ms Arthur said.
She noted that the consequences were particularly significant for women, who play a major role in fish processing and trading across Ghana.
The minister said the government was prioritising improved processing technologies, hygienic handling practices, better storage facilities and cold-chain infrastructure. It also intends to support processors seeking food safety certification.
Fisheries Ministry to Work With Regulators
To improve compliance, the ministry plans to work with the Ghana Standards Authority, the Food and Drugs Authority, environmental health authorities and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen the development, promotion and enforcement of standards across the fish value chain, from landing beaches and processing centres to markets.
Ms Arthur also urged local assemblies to make hygiene and sanitation at fish landing sites, processing facilities and markets a priority.
She said education would form part of the compliance effort, with support from organisations including the Central and Western Fishmongers Improvement Association (CEWEFIA) and Hen Mpoano.
What the Crackdown Means for Fish Processors
The proposed enforcement push signals a stronger focus on safe handling, approved processing methods and improved hygiene in Ghana’s fisheries industry.
For processors, particularly small-scale operators, access to appropriate equipment, storage facilities, training and certification support could be important in meeting the required standards.
For consumers, effective implementation could help reduce exposure to contaminated fish and improve confidence in locally processed products.
However, the minister’s announcement did not specify when enforcement operations would begin, which particular processing methods would be targeted first, or what penalties non-compliant processors could face.
The ministry has therefore signalled its intention to strengthen oversight, while the practical impact will depend on how the measures are implemented across the country.
Ms Arthur also commended CEWEFIA and its partners for organising the fish fair and invited stakeholders to join the national observance of World Fisheries Day in Accra on November 21.
