Ghana Risks EU Fish Export Ban Over Illegal Fishing
Failure to reform by 2026 could trigger a red card and severe economic fallout
- Ghana risks an EU fish export ban by 2026 due to ongoing illegal
- A new Fisheries Bill is being fast-tracked to align with EU and FAO standards
- Three million Ghanaians depend on the sector
Ghana is at serious risk of facing a ban on fish exports to the European Union (EU) unless immediate steps are taken to clean up and regulate its fishing industry.
The country has already received two “yellow cards” from the EU — one in 2013 and another in 2021 — for engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. If the situation doesn’t improve by 2026, Ghana could be slapped with a “red card,” effectively cutting off access to the lucrative EU market.
This stark warning came from Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Aquaculture, and Cocoa Affairs, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Accra. The gathering aimed to finalise the draft Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, which is being fast-tracked through Parliament to align Ghana’s practices with international standards.
Economic Fallout Looms
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, warned that the stakes are high. She pointed out that three million Ghanaians rely on the fisheries value chain, and a red card from the EU could deliver a devastating blow to the national economy, especially since Ghana is one of the region’s top fish exporters to Europe.
Arthur emphasized that the new legislation, once passed, will be submitted to both the EU and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for feedback, aiming to restore credibility to Ghana’s fishery sector.
Stakeholders Demand Accountability
Concerns were raised by industry stakeholders about the lack of strict enforcement against offenders. Many called for tougher penalties for foreign vessel captains involved in illegal activities, urging authorities to go beyond deportation and apply Ghanaian legal sanctions to deter future violations.
New Bill in Focus
The revised Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill — which expired with the previous Parliament — has been reintroduced and now comprises 167 clauses and 170 sections. It addresses key areas such as inland fisheries, aquaculture governance, regulatory enforcement, and criminal penalties.
With time ticking toward the 2026 deadline, the message is clear: Ghana must act decisively to clean up its fisheries sector — or risk losing a vital economic lifeline.
