Partners of the Creating Synergy Between Indigenous Practices and Scientific Knowledge (ISIPSK), locally dubbed as Sankofa, engaged fisherfolk from Sekondi and Abuesi in a validation event to share research findings from the Western Region with them. This was the first in the series of four outlined validation events with fisherfolk engaged in the research data collected in 2024. The objectives of these events, which constitute an important part of the project’s inclusive and participatory research approach, are to:
- Share research findings from data collected from fisherfolk of the respective study sites during the 2024 fieldwork.
- Allow fisherfolk to feedback on the shared research findings; verifying the accuracy and contributing further perspectives to shape the research recommendations.
- Engage fisherfolk to assess developments regarding the project’s three research objectives
The fisherfolk validation event in the Western Region took place at the Albert Bosomtwi Sam fishing Harbour in Sekondi on Monday 1 September, 2025. The event was attended by about 50 fisherfolk including Chief Fishermen, Konkohemaa, canoe owners, women fish processors and traders, fishing crew members, input dealers and fisheries service providers from Sekondi, Essikado and Abuesi. The event was chaired by Nana Akosua Gyamfiaba, the Queen Mother of Nyanekrom – Shama.
The ISIPSK research lead, Dr Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, in her presentation of the findings from the Western Region highlighted fisherfolks’ demographics, their concerns about the implementation of the fishing closed season, the gendered impacts of the policy and emphasised fisherfolks’ recommendations for improving the implementation of the policy.
In response to the presentation, fisherfolk confirmed that the findings reflect their experiences regarding the decline in fish landings and the impact of the fishing closed season. Women fish processors and traders bemoaned the disregard for the traditional weekly non-fishing days and urged for strict adherence to them. Fisherfolk acknowledged that current fishing practices were unsustainable and declared their readiness to embrace historical practices that promote fisheries sustainability. Fishers having noted their involvement in several research in the past without receiving any feedback, applauded the ISIPSK research team for returning to share the research findings with them. They expressed deep concern about the impact that pollution (from plastics and illegal mining ‘galamsey’), the use of explosives and chemicals has on fishing. Participating fisherfolk in the Western Region recommended for the Government to enforce laws and regulations, address pollution and review the implementation period of the fishing closed season.
Representatives from the local research collaborators: Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), Fisheries Commission, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), and other stakeholders: Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation, Ghana Maritime Authority and management of the Albert Bosomtwi Sam fishing Harbour, graced the occasion and delivered their solidarity statements. They acknowledged the research findings and urged fisherfolk to desist from unsustainable fishing practices and be more responsible towards sustainable fisheries management.
In closing, the Chairperson of the event, Nana Akosua Gyamfiaba, expressed delight about the engagement and charged fishers to be better stewards of the fisheries resources. On behalf of the ISIPSK partners, the CaFGOAG President expressed thanks to the project partners, research team, research participants, fisherfolk and all other stakeholders for their continued support. He urged fishers to participate in fisheries engagements and share their view to improve management and governance of the sector.
