Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has held a meeting with the National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council (NICFC) to deliberate on key challenges confronting inland fishing communities, with a strong focus on the welfare and dignity of women engaged in fish trading.
The engagement highlighted the critical role the Council has played since its establishment in 1983 in advocating for improved livelihoods, poverty reduction, and sustainable development among inland fishing communities across the country. The Vice President commended the Council for its consistent grassroots advocacy and reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that uplift vulnerable groups and strengthen local economies.
Discussions at the meeting centered on the urgent need to create safe, organized, and dignified spaces for women who trade in fish. In this regard, the concept of establishing a fish mall was explored as a practical and transformative intervention. According to the Vice President, such a facility would provide women with a secure and hygienic environment to conduct business, add value to their products, and increase their incomes, while also enhancing efficiency and growth within the local fishing economy.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that the proposed fish mall aligns with government’s broader agenda of inclusive development, ensuring that economic progress reaches all segments of society, particularly women at the grassroots who play a pivotal role in food security and household livelihoods.
She assured the Council of government’s readiness to collaborate closely with them and other relevant stakeholders to advance the initiative, stressing that building a fairer and more inclusive economy requires collective effort and sustained partnership.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue dialogue and work towards practical solutions that improve the lives of inland fishing communities nationwide.
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