Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project

CRC

Events

Healthy Fish Processing in Ghana

An Ahotor oven for DAA training
An Ahotor oven for DAA training

Educating fishmongers on hygienic fishing processing and healthy fish handling practices is an important focus of the USAID Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP) in Ghana, currently being implemented by CRC. The traditional method for smoking fish requires considerable wood and results in high rates of respiratory issues and potentially cancers due to inhalation of smoke from the commonly used oven. The new fish smoker being encouraged by the SFMP is called the “Ahotor Oven”.  Fish processors and traders are being trained to use this safer and healthier method that produces a better product. Over 140 Ahotor Ovens have been installed in 29 different communities to help more people and encourage the utilization of this practice.  

Through leadership of two wonderful partners, the Central and Western Region Fish Mongers Improvement Association (CEWIFIA) and the Development Action Association (DAA), two fish processing training centers have been created to make more people aware of the use and benefits of the Ahotor Oven and other important safe fish handling practices.     

Check out this article from Ghana News Agency to learn more! http://www.ghananewsagency.org/health/usaid-supports-women-fish-processors-to-improve-hygienic-processing-145392

Here are links to a couple previous USAID stories on the launch of the fish processing training centers:

CEWEFIA Center launch in May 2018:

https://www.crc.uri.edu/download/USAID-Builds-Capacity-for-Healthy-Fish-Processing-in-Ghana.pdf

DAA Center launch in June 2018:

https://www.crc.uri.edu/download/A-New-Post-Harvest-Fish-Processing-Training-Center-in-Ghana.pdf

Ahotor oven in use at the CEWEFIA Center
Ahotor oven in use at the CEWEFIA Center
CEWEFIA Fish Processing and Demostration Facility
CEWEFIA Fish Processing and Demostration Facility
Plaque on CEWEFIA Center
Plaque on CEWEFIA Center
DAA Fisheries Training Center
DAA Fisheries Training Center