GNCFC

1. Operations

The Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) is the apex advocacy body for Ghana’s artisanal fishing sector, representing canoe owners, crew, fish processors, and traders across the four coastal regions (Greater Accra, Central, Western, and Volta). The council operates through a National Secretariat and four regional branches, ensuring grassroots participation in fisheries governance.

Key Operational Activities: 

Policy Advocacy – Engages with the Fisheries Commission, Ministry of Fisheries, and Parliament on laws affecting small-scale fishers.

Premix Fuel Monitoring – Ensures fair distribution of subsidized fuel to curb smuggling and hoarding.

Conflict Resolution – Mediates disputes between canoe fishers and industrial trawlers (e.g., saiko fishing conflicts).

Training & Compliance – Educates fishers on closed seasons, safe fishing practices, and licensing.

Gender Inclusion – Supports fishmongers & processors (mostly women) in access to finance and markets.

2. Six Key Facts

• Represents close to 40,000 Fishers including canoe owners, crew, and processors.
• Premix Fuel Watchdog – Fights corruption in fuel distribution, a lifeline for artisanal fishing.
• Closed Season Compliance – Mobilizes fishers to adhere to annual fishing bans for stock recovery.
• Anti-Illegal Fishing Campaigns – Partners with EJF, USAID, and Fisheries Commission to stop illegal fishing practices.
• Women-Led Fish Processing Advocacy – Over 750% of members in fish processing are women.
• Climate Resilience Programs – Trains fishers on alternative livelihoods due to declining fish stocks.

3. Mission Statement

“To represent, support and encourage artisanal fishers in Ghana to adopt responsible and sustainable fishing practices and secure socio-economic livelihoods through Research, Education and training, evidence-based advocacy, policy influence, knowledge sharing and inclusiveness.”

4. Statistics & Impact

• Total Artisanal Fishers in Ghana: between 150,000 and 20,000 along the value chain.
• Fleet Size: 14,000+ canoes operating in Ghanaian waters (Fisheries Commission, 2023).
• Economic Contribution: Artisanal sector supplies approximately 60% of Ghana’s fish for local consumption (FAO).

5. Recent Projects & Partnerships

a. USAID/Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA) – Trained fishers on:

– Closed season compliance & 3-year canoe moratorium.

– Canoe registration/embossment & Safe Fish Certification.

– Financial literacy & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness.

– Supplementary livelihoods (e.g., aquaculture, carpentry, fabrication etc).

b. ILO Collaboration – Sensitization on:

– ILO C188 (Work in Fishing Convention) – Fishers’ rights & safety at sea.

c. EJF Partnership – Supported mass member registration & anti-IUU fishing campaigns.

6. Leadership Structure

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

– President: Nana Jojo Solomon

– Vice President: Nii Djamlodja

– Treasurer: Nana Obrenu Dabum III

– Organizer: Nii Abiala IV

– PRO: Torgui Seth Kedey

REGIONAL CHAIRS & EXECUTIVES

– Central Region: Nana Kwamina Sanka II + 6 Executives

– Western Region: Nana Emmanuel Odwire + 6 Executives

– Volta Region: Torgbui Doe Nkekeshie + 6 Executives

– Greater Accra: Nene Raymond Abayateye + 6 Executives