As part of the annual ECOGIV project meeting, participants undertook a field trip to the bustling Elmina Fisheries Port to gain first-hand insights into the local fishing industry. Led by Chief Fisher Duncan, the group explored the port’s extensive marketplace and the diversity and intensity of daily activities. The visit also included a tour of a vessel-building facility, offering project members an up-close look at the craftsmanship and scale of local boat construction.

Following the tour, ECOGIV members joined a stakeholder meeting featuring a panel of key representatives: two fisher leaders, two women involved in fish buying, selling, and processing, and the director of the regional fisheries commission. The panel provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by the sector, from sustainability and regulatory issues to market dynamics and gender-specific roles within the industry. Panelists also outlined the typical operational structure of Ghana’s fisheries, giving project members a deeper understanding of the industry’s economic and social significance.

This field trip not only enriched the ECOGIV team’s grasp of the Ghanaian fisheries sector but also fostered meaningful dialogue with local stakeholders. The insights gained will be instrumental in shaping future project activities and ensuring that ECOGIV’s research and recommendations align with the realities faced by the local fishing communities.