In a bid to enhance public understanding of safety standards in Ghana’s artisanal fisheries sector, the Marine SafeNet Ghana Project, a partnership between Friends of the Nation (FoN) and ProSea Marine Education, with funding from the International Fund for Fishing Safety, has organized a one-day national workshop for journalists on Fishing Safety Reporting.
The training, held in Takoradi, brought together journalists from radio, print, and social media to deepen their knowledge of the challenges and safety issues faced by artisanal fishers, while equipping them to tell stories that inspire positive change and safer practices at sea.
Mr. Donkris Mevuta, Executive Director of FoN, urged journalists to see themselves as both storytellers and changemakers. “Together, we can change the narrative from loss to safety and hope, ensuring every fisher returns home safely,” he said, emphasizing the media’s critical role in promoting a culture of safety within fishing communities.
Fishers from Axim, Dixcove, Shama, Abandze, Lekpongunor, and Vodza shared emotional firsthand accounts of the risks they face daily, including rough weather, engine failures, fatigue, fires, and drowning hazards. Their stories highlighted the urgency of improving safety measures in the artisanal fishing industry.
Representing the Fisheries Commission, Dr. Charles Teye underscored the need for proper safety equipment and continuous training. He noted that many fishers still operate without essential gear such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, and life buoys, and cautioned against dangerous practices like dynamite and chemical fishing that threaten both human and marine life.
From the Ghana Maritime Authority, Mr. James Aidoo called for stricter safety standards for locally built boats, mandatory life-saving equipment, and community-based monitoring systems. He announced that by January 2026, new Maritime Authority offices will open in Shama, Dixcove, and James Town to strengthen local safety oversight.
The workshop drew participation from several media outlets, including Radio Shama, Nzema FM, Radio Ahanta, Radio 360, Skyy Power FM, GBC-Twin City FM, Connect FM, Empire Radio, Fox FM, Kyzz FM, Business and Financial Times, Ghana News Agency (GNA), Daily Guide, Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, Voices GH, and KobbySmyles.
Through the Marine SafeNet Ghana Project, partners and stakeholders aim to make fishing in Ghana safer, fairer, and more sustainable, ensuring that the nation’s fishers, who feed millions, can work and return home in safety.