Africa

On May 28, 2020, the SFMP Cooperative Agreement with URI was modified to provide a 7-month cost extension through April 2021. A supplemental Program description was provided with the following result areas elaborated to achieve the goal of the SFMP COVID-19 response initiative: “To prevent the spread and mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19 among vulnerable households in fishing communities in Ghana.” COVID 1: Fisherfolk at 300 landing sites, processing and/or fish markets sites better adhere to official COVID-19 disease prevention protocols. COVID 2: Two thousand extremely vulnerable fisheries-dependent households avoid extreme poverty. COVID 3: GoG has evidence on approaches for effective livelihood assistance to fishing communities affected by COVID-19. COVID 4: Cross Cutting Areas: Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships; Gender and Youth; Building for Sustainability. In pursuit of these strategic outcomes, the SFMP COVID-19 response program started working with the 27 metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) along the entire coast of Ghana, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD), the Fisheries Commission (FC), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Information (MOI), as well as fisherfolk associations that have membership and respected leaders in almost all 186 fishing villages found along the coast.

The meeting of the Science and Technical Working Group was held from July 28-29,2020 at the A&E Hotel in Accra, Ghana. Its main objectives were to: Update members on the status of Ghana’s small pelagic and demersal fish stocks. Update members on biological impact of the closed season. Update members on socio-economic impact of the closed season. Make observations of socio-economic impacts on the artisanal closure of 2019 by FC. Present the trawl gear audits conducted by the FC (Board) and GITA. Present the evaluation methodologies of closed season by KNUST. Discuss adoption of the STWG as a formal scientific advisory body of the FC Board. Develop 2021 management recommendations.

The primary objective of this socio-economic study was to assess the short-term socio-economic impacts - positive, neutral or negative - of the closure on artisanal sector canoe fishing households. The findings and recommendations provide inputs for formulating possible national arrangements and mechanisms on fisheries closure policies and management strategies, and how implementation of such measures can be strengthened. The main methodology adopted for the study involved administration of a survey questionnaire by trained enumerators on a mobile network (paperless) KoBoToolbox Kit in eleven (11) communities during three designated phases relevant to the closed season: pre-closed, closed and post-closed seasons. In addition, focus group discussions and key informant interviews took place in the sampled communities.

A two day capacity building workshop was organized for community information officers in the project catchment area at Elmina and Moree. The workshop was attended by officers of community information centers and radio stations. The purpose of the workshop was presentations and discussions centered on the meaning of child labor, child trafficking, and worst form of child labor. Videos, pictures and illustrations were shown to give true picture of CLaT issues in the fisheries communities. Another presentation was done on post-harvest value chain which comprised of hygienic fish handling, improved packaging, value addition and Class one recognition standard. The representative of the Fisheries Commission also presented on the efforts of Fisheries Commission in the scale up of the Ahotor oven.

This work plan provides an overview of activities scheduled for the terminal phase of the project including amended activities in the last part of Year 5 and extending into the No-Cost Extension period as well as an extension based on achieving the goal of the SFMP COVID-19 response initiative . Year 5 work was heavily impacted by two slow down notices from USAID that restricted funding availability in the first three quarters of the workplan year. With the no-cost extension approval and receipt of funds up to the agreement ceiling in the third quarter, some Year 5 activities that had been delayed previously have now been refined and captured in this amended Year 5 workplan period below (June – Sept, 2019). Work for the No-Cost Extension Period (Oct 2019 – Sept 2020) is also included. A portion of the work covered in this workplan is also part of the USAID’s Learning Initiative on Women’s Empowerment, Access to Finance, and Sustainable Fisheries. On May 28, 2020, the SFMP Cooperative Agreement with URI was modified to provide a 7-month cost extension through April 2021. A supplemental Program description was provided with the following result areas elaborated to achieve the goal of the SFMP COVID-19 response initiative: “To prevent the spread and mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19 among vulnerable households in fishing communities in Ghana.”