Statement by the FCWC Secretary-General, Dr Antoine Gaston Djihinto, on the Ratification of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (C188) by Ghana (an FCWC Member State)
On behalf of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), I am honoured to celebrate Ghana’s ratification of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (document number C188). This significant milestone not only demonstrates a profound commitment to protecting fishers’ rights but also aligns with our ongoing efforts under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the FCWC and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The ratification of Convention C188 embodies the principles outlined in our MOU, where the FCWC and the ILO are dedicated to promoting decent work, eradicating forced labour, and enhancing the overall welfare of fishers in our region. This step also reinforces the collaborative spirit in the development of our Draft Protocol on Labour Standards for Crew and the Elimination of Forced Labour on Fishing Vessels, which is currently being prepared for a regional review, and hopefully, adoption.
We look forward to working closely with Ghana and other FCWC members to integrate these international labour standards into national fisheries policies, thereby ensuring that the rights and well-being of all fishers are adequately protected. This ratification is not just a victory for Ghana but a collective achievement for all FCWC member countries, as we continue to strive for a sustainable and equitable fishing industry across our region.
I acknowledge and thank all our partners and collaborators for supporting our efforts, and look forward to working together to ensure that together, through the implementation of these commitments, we can forge a path toward a future where labour rights are respected, and forced labour is eradicated from the fishing sector in the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
