2 Berchie Asiedu, Amos Asase, Seidu Iddrisu et al.
1950s in the northern regions of Ghana. Dugouts, reservoirs and dams
were primarily used as fish culture systems. Modern aquaculture
techniques were introduced over the last four (4) decades. Ponds have
been the turning point from enhancement stocking to raising fish in farm
units. To date, ponds represent over 50% of the total aquaculture
production units and contribute only about 6% to the total annual
aquaculture production in Ghana. Nearly 90% of aquaculture production
comes from cages, and reservoirs, dugouts and dams make up the
reminder.
Although there has been a steady growth in farm establishment and
government efforts to promote fish farming, the sector is producing
below installed capacity. This is due to little development in removing or
reducing constraining factors to reasonable levels. Poor quality and
inadequate supply of fingerlings, inadequate technical know-how,
inadequate extension services and training have been the major
challenges affecting aquaculture production in Ghana. From the study,
high cost of commercially available diets, lack of access to funds, poor
market of farmed fish products and poor management of farms have been
identified to be inhibiting the growth of the aquaculture industry. These
challenges coupled with unfavourable weather conditions t and poor
infrastructure lead to the increasing incidence of farm abandonment and
the entire aquaculture development.
The study also revealed that, most fish farms in Ghana are poorly
managed. This is due to the lack of technical know-how and unskilled
labour at the different levels of production. This has contributed
massively to the under development and negligible contribution of the
sector to the overall fish production and economic development in the
country. Poor management can be economically and environmentally
injurious to the needs of aquaculture sustainability and development,
hence, fish farmers must focus on how to equilibrate social and
environmental needs.Keywords: aquaculture, fish, Ghana, management, pond, production
INTRODUCTION
Fish is a preferred source of animal protein and consumed by the majority
of Ghanaians ranging from the rural poor to the urban rich. It is estimated that
75% of the total domestic production of fish is consumed locally, contributing
about 60% of the total animal protein requirement in the average Ghanaian
diet. With a current population of about 27.4 million people, Ghana’s annual
average per capita apparent fish consumption is estimated at 28 kg (GSA,