Link-Ghana, Fisheries Commission and partners hold review meeting on aquaponics development
The one-day meeting, held on Thursday, August 28, at the Kassena Nankana Municipal Assembly, was themed “Reviewing the Prospects of Aquaponics in the Kassena Nankana and Bulsa Zones of the Upper East Region of Ghana.”
Link-Ghana, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission of the Upper East Region and with support from the UNDP–Adaptation Fund Climate Innovations Accelerator (AFCIA), has held a stakeholder review meeting on aquaponics development in the Kassena Nankana and Bulsa zones.
The one-day meeting, held on Thursday, August 28, at the Kassena Nankana Municipal Assembly, was themed “Reviewing the Prospects of Aquaponics in the Kassena Nankana and Bulsa Zones of the Upper East Region of Ghana.”
It brought together fish farmers, aquaculture experts, financial institutions, officials from the Fisheries Commission, the Municipal Chief Executive, assembly officials, and community groups engaged in fish farming.
The forum created a platform for participants to highlight challenges, share experiences, and discuss ways of harnessing the potential of aquaponics and fish farming in the region.
Speaking to the media after the engagement, Project Coordinator for Link-Ghana, Daniel Kansake, explained that the initiative is aimed at empowering communities to produce fish and vegetables for both nutritional and economic benefits.
“This review meeting today is all about developing aquaponics in the Kassena Nankana Municipality and the Upper East Region. UNDP supported Link-Ghana to help communities produce fish and vegetables for their own economic benefits,” he said.
Kansake disclosed that over the past two years, the project has reached about 324 direct beneficiaries and some 1,980 indirect beneficiaries across communities such as Kajelo, Bonia, and Kologo in the Kassena Nankana area, as well as parts of Bulsa. He noted that women constitute about 60 percent of the beneficiaries.
While participants commended the project for its impact, Kansake also pointed out challenges that need attention, including access to fish feed, marketing opportunities, fingerlings, and security concerns.
He, however, expressed optimism about the future of the initiative.
“So it has been a productive day and we at Link-Ghana are excited about it. Something we started very early without knowing how it would go is today yielding impact, and people are appreciating the initiative. We heard one woman testify that she has procured a tank to start her own fish farm, and that is heartwarming.” Kansake added.
The review meeting forms part of efforts to consolidate gains made under the aquaponics project and to chart a sustainable path for aquaculture development in the Upper East Region.
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