Fish processors urged to unite to attract support

The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ms Sherry Ayittey, has urged fish processors and traders to come together to present a unified voice to influence policy decisions.

The minister, who made the call at the opening session of the first annual stakeholders’ meeting of the National Association of Fish Processors and Traders (NAFPTA) in Accra, said their ability to make an impact lay in their unity as a group.

She said a micro-credit facility had been set up to support their work as a unified body, while the association was being supported to train its members in improved fish processing technology.

Credit facility

The Chairperson of the Board of Directors of NAFPTA/Business Management and Rural Development, Mrs Margaret Gavor, said the leadership of the association had established a revolving fund aimed at boosting the businesses of its members.

She said it had also initiated a system for credit disbursement and payment and arranged for credit support for fish processors and traders during the bumper season.

The association, she said, had also organised training sessions in business development and management, as well as entrepreneurship, for its members.

She said training in fish handling and preservation, including appropriate technologies and improved smoking kilns, had improved the lot of its members.

According to Mrs Gavor, in compliance with fisheries regulations, the association had supported watch-dog committee activities that included having to boycott unwholesome fish and fish products that were not acquired in line with fishing regulations.