8 Berchie Asiedu, Amos Asase, Seidu Iddrisu et al.
Content of the Chapter
Following the introduction section of the chapter is the methodology. This
is followed by the analysis of the management systems, opportunties,
challenges and development of aquaculture in Ghana. The chapter ends with
conclusion section.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data Collection: Interviews
Qusetionnaires (Appendices 1 and 2) were administered to fish farmers.
Qusetionnaires were to identify the management system, size of operation,
marketing, challenges at the farm level.
Respondents were randomly selected and interviewed. Two main
respondent groups were identified, Operational Farms (OF) and Abandoned
Farms (AF). For the purpose of this study, operational farms are farms
currently in production and abandoned farms are inactive farms. The Fisheries
Commission (FC) was also contacted to attain their perspective on the
challenges and prospects of fish farming. A series of dualistic questions were
used, which included close and open ended types, to assess the challenges that
limit production, opportunities and overall development of fish farming.
Fifteen (15) individuals were interviewed from each of the main respondent
groups with predesigned questionnaires. A total of 30 fish farmers were
interviewed.
Data Collection: Document Analysis
Documents were obtained and analysed on fish production, imports,
exports, demand and supply from official sources (Ministry of Fisheries and
Aquaculture Development, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Food and
Agriculture Organization, Ghana Statstical Services). A desktop study on the
constraints, opportunities, management systems and sustainability of
aquaculture in Ghana was also undertaken. Information from literature was
used as guide to questionnaire design for the field study.