The Acting US Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Jennifer R. Littlejohn, has visited Ghana as part of a working tour to three coastal countries.
Her visit centred on nature and marine conservation, plastic pollution, the climate crisis, deforestation, nature crimes, civil and commercial space activities, and the sustainable blue economy.
In Ghana, she met with partners associated with U.S.-supported projects helping to rebuild and protect Ghana’s coastal fisheries and engaged with university students studying environmental issues.
She led a delegation to the Tema Fishing Harbour to gain first-hand experience of ongoing initiatives to curb illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing in the industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal sectors of the fishing industry.
She also chaired an open forum with the fishing community to discuss the various practical impediments to safe, wholesome, and legal fishing in Ghana.
The Vice President of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, hosted the delegation and led the tour at the Tema Fishing Harbour.
He said such forums give stakeholders the opportunity to develop an appreciable perspective on environmental issues in the marine fisheries sector.
A senior researcher at the Centre for Maritime Law and Security (CEMLAWS) Africa said Jennifer R. Littlejohn’s visit has come at an opportune time to disabuse the notion of some sections of industry in the nation’s direction on IUU fishing.