The National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), has renamed its Conference Auditorium, ‘Flt. Lt. M.G Tackey(Rtd) Memorial Conference Auditorium’ after its late fisheries advocate and former president of the association, Flt. Lt. Militides Godfrey Tackey(Rtd), in appreciation of his enormous effort towards the construction, furnishing of the building and dedicated and loyal service to the fishing industry.

The renaming was a decision by the immediate past executive council and endorsed by the present executive council.

In his welcome address the president of NAFAG, Nana Jojo Solomon, said that the late Flt. Lt. (Rtd) M.G Tackey’s exceptional leadership to NAFAG and by extension, the fisheries sector is worth etching in history. He was a strong advocate for the education and sensitization of fishers on legal provisions of the fisheries sector to promote voluntary compliance and was instrumental in the operationalisation of the current National Secretariat with the needed office equipment. Nana Jojo Solomon noted that even in his frailty, Flt. Lt. M.G Tackey (Rtd), led with dedication and passion to the admiration of major stakeholders in the fisheries industry.

The renaming is therefore aimed at the preservation of the legacy, the recognition of service and the honouring of a colossus whose impact on Ghana’s fisheries sector will endure for generations to come. Flt Lt. Tackey’s background in discipline and service from the Armed Forces translated seamlessly into his work within the fisheries sector. He brought structure, clarity and purpose to an industry that required strong and principled leadership.

He was instrumental in the formation of the Global Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and was recognised as one of GITA’s founders. For GITA, his leadership created an environment where engagement was constructive, and solutions were possible. He respected the role of industrial trawlers within the broader ecosystem and worked to ensure that policies and discussions reflected balance and practicality.

There were testimonies from the five member associations namely, Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association, Ghana Inshore Fisheries Association, National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council and Ghana Tuna Association.

Speaking on behalf of Hon. Emelia Arthur, the sector minister, Ms. Rosemary Abbey, Director, General Administration, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, said through Flt. Lt. Tackey’s advocacy, currently there is a good representation of NAFAG on the board and committees of the Fisheries Commission and applauded NAFAG for the bold decision to honour one of the visible and great voices in the fisheries industry.

In her testimonial, Ms. Cynthia Comley, said Flt. Lt. Tackey is noted for taking interest in gender issues by offering leadership to women leaders in the industry who he mentored on leadership and mobilization of women support groups some of whom are current presidents of associations. His insights of the complex issues of the industry were rich and therefore cannot be overlooked.

The Late Flt. Lt. M.G Tackey’s family, in their response, expressed appreciation to NAFAG for the decision to rename the Conference Auditorium and that the testimonies from fisheries stakeholders are not different from his personality traits in his dealings with his family.

On international advocacy, he was a member of various Ghanaian delegations to meetings of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) over a considerable length of time. Due to his leadership role and positive contributions to deliberations and negotiations, he was elected the 2nd Vice President of ICCAT in 2011 in Istanbul for a two –year period.

Present at the ceremony were representatives from public stakeholder institutions such as the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Fisheries Commission, Ghana Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Tema Fishing Harbour and Tema Metropolitan Assembly.

Also present were representatives from the Tema Traditional Council, Family of the late Flt. Lt. Tackey (Rtd), led by the family head, Mr. Samuel Nii Tackey, key stakeholders such as the Ghana Fisheries Resilience Action (GFRA LBG), the National Fish Processors and Traders Association, CAOPA, members of the old executive council who worked with the late president, and a former consultant to NAFAG, all of whom gave testimonies about him.