The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) facilitated working visits to Togo and Benin for a delegation led by Hon. Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, Ghana’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.

In Lomé, Togo, on 31st October 2022, Togo’s Minister of Maritime Economy, Fisheries and Coastal Protection, Mr Edem Kokou Tengue, met Ghana’s Minister and discussed common challenges and strategies to address them in presence of FCWC Secretary-General, Seraphin Dedi.

Minister Tengue committed to strengthen regional cooperation in fisheries under the frame of the FCWC, to support Ghana’s Fisheries Closed in 2023. Mr Tengue also suggested that particular attention be paid to climate change to better understand ocean acidification and its impact on the fisheries resources in the region.

In Cotonou, Benin, Hon. Min. Gaston Dossouhoui, Benin’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, and met the delegation to discuss strengthening regional cooperation through the FCWC by implementing fisheries management measures including fishery closed seasons, observer programs and strategies to combat piracy. The organization of the upcoming 14th Conference of Ministers was a key discussion point with both Ministers. The conference is now slated for 18 – 20 January 2023 in Accra, Ghana.