By Oluwabunmi Ogunjimi
Nigeria and Ghana are moving to strengthen maritime cooperation and tighten fisheries governance across the Gulf of Guinea, with renewed focus on combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, improving vessel authorisation and strengthening monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities.
The commitment followed a meeting held yesterday in Accra between Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Emelia Arthur.
Oyetola, who also serves as President of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), emphasised the strategic importance of coordinated maritime oversight and effective fisheries regulation in protecting shared marine resources and securing the region’s waters against illegal fishing.
As part of the visit, the Nigerian minister engaged with the FCWC Secretariat and the Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre in Tema, Ghana, to advance cross-border cooperation, strengthen fisheries enforcement and support regional maritime surveillance during Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Committee.
At the meeting, Oyetola called for stronger operational coordination between Nigeria and Ghana to tackle IUU fishing, describing it as a shared maritime challenge that threatens marine resources, food security, government revenue and the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities.
The engagement underscores the importance of stronger regional collaboration, effective vessel authorisation and coordinated maritime surveillance in safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea’s fisheries resources and promoting a sustainable blue economy.
He noted that effective cooperation between the two countries would strengthen the wider regional response to illegal fishing and contribute to the sustainable management of shared fisheries resources.
In a statement by Dr. Bolaji Akinola Special Adviser to the Minister, the Minister highlighted Nigeria’s pilot implementation of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels as a practical platform for enhanced cooperation with Ghana, particularly in verifying vessel authorisations and exchanging relevant information through the FCWC framework.
According to him, technical teams from both countries could work together to identify discrepancies in vessel authorisation records and establish agreed procedures for resolving them, thereby improving transparency, compliance and fisheries monitoring across the subregion.
“Our shared interest is to protect fisheries resources, expand sustainable production and strengthen the livelihoods of our people. Nigeria remains committed to working with Ghana towards these objectives,” Oyetola said.
In her remarks, Hon. Emelia Arthur commended Nigeria for its efforts in combating piracy and for the significant strides recorded in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
She reaffirmed that the fight against IUU fishing remains a priority for Ghana and pledged her country’s full cooperation with Nigeria in addressing the challenge.
The Ghanaian Minister also disclosed that Ghana had developed its own Marine and Blue Economy policy and sought Nigeria’s support in sharing knowledge and experience, noting Nigeria’s pioneering position in developing such a policy framework.
The request underscores the importance of knowledge-sharing and policy collaboration between both countries as they pursue sustainable ocean governance, improved fisheries management and the development of their respective blue economy sectors.
As part of his engagements in Ghana, Oyetola also visited the FCWC Secretariat in Tema, where he met with the Secretary-General, Dr. Antoine Djihinto, and other staff members of the Secretariat.
The Minister commended the Secretariat for the achievements recorded over the past year and reiterated his commitment to working closely with other FCWC Member States to strengthen regional fisheries governance and eliminate IUU fishing in the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among member countries, noting that coordinated monitoring, control and surveillance, improved information-sharing and effective implementation of regional initiatives are essential to protecting fisheries resources and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
The FCWC brings together six member countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo. The Committee provides a framework for regional cooperation in fisheries management, maritime security and the promotion of sustainable fisheries practices across the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
Oyetola’s engagements in Ghana reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to deepening regional partnerships, strengthening fisheries monitoring and enforcement, and advancing a sustainable Marine and Blue Economy that supports food security, economic growth and the livelihoods of coastal communities across the subregion.
