Ghana- 1st- Fisheries and aquaculture sector

By Daniel Morris | 4. November 2025

CHAPTER 3: BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

3.1 Ghana’s Obligation to Protect Human Rights under Regulatory Regimes

3.2.3. Blue Economy

Ghana’s blue economy, which consists of the marine and inland aquatic resources (e.g. Atlantic Ocean, Volta and Bosomtwe Lakes), provides huge opportunities for fishing, aquaculture, shipping, offshore oils and gas and coastal tourism. Despite the shipping industry generating a lot of income for the country with the fishing industry playing a major role in sustainable livelihood, the sector is beset with climate change and some human rights abuses which include:

  • Harsh working conditions leading to sometimes fatal accidents
  • Child and forced labour
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Gender-based violence
  • Poor working conditions
  • Sexual harassment
  • Job insecurity
  • Non-compliance and weak enforcement of noise level standards Illegal fishing methods in the exclusive economic zone e.g., using wrong net sizes; pair trawling; use of chemicals and explosives
  • Non-compliance with health and safety protocols
  • Unsanitary and precarious working conditions for crew members
  • Limited access to medical care
  • Lack of access to clean water, and inadequate food.

CHAPTER: 4 STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS

4.1 Strategies to achieve Key Objectives of the Three Pillars

4.1.1 Pillar 1: The State’s Duty to Protect Human Rights

Strategy: 1.2 Strengthen institutional and management practices of Blue Economy/Ocean obligations

Activities: Review and harmonize existing laws relative to the blue economy to mainstream business and human rights

  • Time frame: 2025-2029
  • Implementing lead agencies: MESTI, MoT MoFAD
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: MDA, GMA

Activities: Develop a comprehensive policy on blue economy to incorporate business and human rights

  • Time frame: 2025
  • Implementing lead agencies: MESTI, MoT, MoFAD
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: NDPC, EPA, Fisheries Commission

Activities: Develop guidelines to mainstream business and human rights into sector plans

  • Time frame: 2025-2029
  • Implementing lead agencies: NDPC
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: MDAs, MMDAs, Oo (SDG Advisory Unit, M&E, Secetariat)

Activities: Establish multi-sectoral coordination platform for blue economy

  • Time frame: 2025
  • Implementing lead agencies: MESTI
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: NDPC, MELR, Oop, MoFAD, MoT

Strategy 1.5 Enact new legislations and strengthen the implementation of the existing laws on the protection of vulnerable groups

Activities: Review policies on businesses to curtail child labour in the mining, fishing, and farming areas.

  • Time frame: 2025-2029
  • Implementing lead agencies: MLER, MoGCSP
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: MOFA, MinCom