Ghana: Introduction of Ghana’s New Fisheries Director to the FCWC Secretariat

Mr Dedi (left) welcomes Mr Dadzie to the office with souvenirs of the FCWC

On 13th June 2017, Ghana’s newly appointed Director of Fisheries, Mr Michael Arthur Dadzie, accompanied by the outgoing Director, Mr Samuel Quaatey, paid a courtesy visit to the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) Secretariat in Tema, (Ghana). The visit was to introduce the new Director to the FCWC Secretary General and for him to acquaint himself with activities of the FCWC, and also to strengthen the established collaboration with the FCWC on sustainable fisheries management in the region.

Introducing the new Director, Mr Dadzie, to Mr Seraphin Dedi Nadje, Secretary General of the FCWC, Mr Samuel Quaatey lauded the work of the FCWC since its establishment. He underscored the contribution of Ghana in this process of regional collaboration and the regional voice raised on dealing with the fisheries sector development and resource management.

For his part, Mr Dedi assured the new director that the doors of the FCWC are always open to him. “The FCWC is very happy to work with you. Our doors are always open for collaborations as part of our mandate and we assure you of continuously working with you as we have always done with the outgoing director to achieve our common goal of developing a strong collaboration for the sustainability of the fisheries sector in the sub region,” he said.

As team work, Mr DEDI, recalled and committed the FCWC to the recent renewed pledge and commitment by Ghana at the United Nations Oceans Conference on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development), in New York, where President Akufo-Addo strongly advocated for enhanced international cooperation for effective monitoring and a severe sanctions regime to address illegal and unregulated fishing.

In return, the new Director, Mr Dadzie, expressed gratitude to the outgoing Director, Mr Quaatey, for the initiative, which is very necessary for the continuity of the work so far in the region. He lauded the efforts of the FCWC aimed at providing a conducive environment for fisheries activities in Ghana, in particular, and in the sub region, as a whole. He further indicated that Ghana is highly committed to eliminating pollution along the country’s coast; significantly reducing pollution in the marine ecosystem by 2025; tackling the current challenges posed by the use of plastics and indiscriminate disposal of waste; and combatting illegal fishing.

While warmly welcoming on board Mr Dadzie to continue the collaboration between the FCWC and the Ghana Government, FCWC Secretary General expresses his profound gratitude to Mr Quaatey for the fruitful working relationships the FCWC has had with him, and wishes him the very best of luck in his retirement.