Appiah, Sarah

Fish is an important food in Ghana, accounting for 60% of the national dietary animal protein. However, fisheries production, mainly from capture fisheries, has declined in recent years with deficit being offset by fish imports valued at over $200 million annually. This offers opportunity for expanding the aquaculture sub sector to bridge the gap, particular among small scale farmers and youth. In 2018, the Government of Ghana launched the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs (AFJ) program to enhance fish production, create employment opportunities, and promote sustainable aquaculture practices particularly among the youth and women. This was in line with the government's medium-term vision to use the aquaculture sub-sector to increase domestic fish production and generate additional jobs along the aquaculture value chain. Following this initiative, group-based aquaculture is being undertaken in community small reservoirs, ponds and lakes across various regions in Ghana. This study unpacks lessons from different experiences of youth group-based aquaculture in 13 communities which are either supported by government or development agencies. Using the Ostrom (1990) principles, we assess the sustainability and the contributing factors of these youth group-based aquaculture projects. The preliminary findings shows that even though technical capacity building, institutional support and initial capital support are essential, social dynamics such as group cohesion, group composition and enterprise development trainings are very critical for sustainability of these projects. For projects undertaken in community owned reservoirs, acceptance of such projects by community leaders and members is pivotal. In all cases, theft, natural disasters such as flooding, high cost of fish feed, and marketing remain a challenge and there is need to identify private sector partnership, financing and insurance schemes to foster sustainability