Ghana blows $400m yearly on fish imports – MP

Eric Opoku, Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, has said an amount of US$400million is used to import fish into Ghana annually.

This situation, he said, is worrying because that money could be invested in the fishing sector in Ghana to expand the business.

He made these remarks in connection with this year’s Farmers’ Day celebration while speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM on Friday, 1 December.

Mr Opoku, who is also a Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Cocoa and Agriculture, noted among other things: “As we speak, as a country we spend US$400 million to import fish into the country yearly.

“This money could have been invested in the sector to grow the fishing business for Ghanaians.”

"We can only make substantial gains if we invest in the sector," he emphasised.

Mr Opoku further indicated that the current government has not shown enough commitment to the agriculture sector.

According to him, the budget of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has been reduced “by 21 per cent” in the 2018 budget, a situation he believes is not good enough for the sector.