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CEMLAWS organises workshop on transparency and accountability
A day’s workshop aimed at disseminating the findings on transparency and accountability in Ghana’s fisheries sector project has been held in Accra.
Organised by the Centre for Maritime Law and Security (CEMLAWS) Africa yesterday, the transparency and accountability in Ghana’s fisheries sector project was funded through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vibrant Oceans project titled: Enhancing Transparency in the Fisheries Sector of Ghana.
The project which was carried out in four African countries including Ghana sought to evaluate transparency and accountability gaps within the fisheries sector, with a focus on governance and policy framework.
According to the Programmes Manager at (CEMLAWS) Africa, Dr Rebecca K. Essamuah, although there had been transparency by the government in the fisheries sector, more could be done to improve it.
She explained that transparency mechanisms in the fisheries sector could be improved by making information more available, and including stakeholders in decision-making for their voice to be heard.
Dr Essamuah further underscored the need to have a concerted effort that was geared towards achieving a sustainable fisheries sector as efforts to meet transparency goals were scattered.
In addition, she noted that the project had three main objectives which were to assess the transparency and accountability, to assess the functional information-sharing mechanisms and to find out how transparency was being held across the regions in terms of governance and enforcement in the fisheries sector.
The Board Chairman of the Fisheries Commission (FC), Professor Francis Nunoo noted that his outfit was collecting data on fisheries to help improve the inland fisheries sector.
This, he said, was important due to limited data in the inland fisheries sector compared to the marine fisheries sector.
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Prof Nunoo further bemoaned how information or data obtained from the FC by stakeholders in the fisheries sector and individuals were often misinterpreted and therefore recommended a formal engagement with stakeholders in the fisheries sector to better explain the data obtained to them as the sector was the least understood in West Africa.
He asserted that although the government had supported the FC over the past years, the FC still faced challenges in terms of data collection which affected its operations.
The Board Chairman therefore urged the government to assist the FC by providing it with adequate resources to help in data collection to help the FC manage the fisheries sector effectively.
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), in a keynote address read on her behalf by a representative from the MoFAD noted that good governance, transparency, and accountability were essential for the sustainable management of natural resources in Ghana, including fisheries and aquaculture.
The Minister emphasised government’s commitment to improve transparency and accountability in the fisheries sector by collaborating with stakeholders in the implementation of fisheries policies, plans and management measures.
The First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, has announced that the government will soon launch a Free Primary Health Care Programme aimed at improving access to healthcare across the country.
She said the initiative, which will be launched by her husband, John Dramani Mahama, will provide free primary healthcare services at facilities such as the Anyima Health Centre.
Mrs. Mahama made the announcement during the commissioning of the newly renovated Anyima Health Centre in Anyima, Brong Ahafo region.
According to her, the programme is expected to increase the use of health services, support early detection of diseases, reduce healthcare costs for families and improve the overall health and productivity of citizens.
“My husband, President John Dramani Mahama, will soon launch the Free Primary Health Care Programme, which will provide free care at facilities like the Anyima Health Centre,” she said.
Handing over the facility to the community, the First Lady urged health workers who will serve at the centre to treat patients with dignity and compassion.
She encouraged them to work towards ensuring zero maternal mortality and zero infant mortality at the facility.
Mrs. Mahama further called on residents of Anyima to take full ownership of the health centre by keeping it in good condition and making good use of its services.
She appealed to traditional leaders in the area to help protect the facility so that it can continue to serve the health needs of the community for many years.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger action to promote gender equity and create more opportunities for women in the workplace.
She made the call in a Facebook post after joining staff at the Presidency of Ghana to mark International Women’s Day.
The celebration was held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Promoting Equity for Every Woman in the Workplace” and focused on recognising the achievements of women while reflecting on the work needed to ensure equal opportunities.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang extended warm wishes to women across Ghana and noted that women have always played key roles in the country’s communities and economic activities.
According to her, women in the past served as healers, traders and queen mothers who contributed to leadership and governance in traditional societies.
She explained that Ghana’s cultural history shows that women have long provided knowledge, leadership and innovation to help develop communities.
The Vice President however noted that current disparities require society to examine systems and structures that may have limited opportunities for women.
She stressed that advancing gender equity will require deliberate actions and the mentoring of young women to prepare them for leadership roles.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang recognised women whose work takes place in markets, streets and small trading spaces across the country.
According to her, these women form the backbone of local economies and continue to demonstrate resilience despite the difficult conditions they face.
She commended women working at the Presidency for their dedication and leadership and reaffirmed the need to promote respect, fairness and opportunity for every woman.
The Vice President further called on both men and women to work together to break barriers and ensure that women can fully contribute to Ghana’s development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
