By: Sarah Baafi
On Monday 17, 2025, the Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA), a USAID-funded initiative, officially concluded its operations in Ghana. This move follows a Stop-Work Order issued by the U.S. government, impacting all USAID-funded projects in the country.
During a formal meeting with officials from the Fisheries Commission, the GFRA team, led by former Chief of Party, Heather D’Agnes, expressed regret over the abrupt termination.
D’Agnes highlighted the programme’s key achievements and ongoing projects, emphasizing the need for continued support from the Fisheries Commission to ensure their sustainability.
“We are deeply saddened by the abrupt halt of our activities, but we are proud of the strong partnership we have built with the Fisheries Commission and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development,” D’Agnes said. “We urge the Fisheries Commission to sustain ongoing initiatives and continue supporting fisherfolk in their efforts to adopt sustainable fishing practices.”
The GFRA has been instrumental in enhancing fisheries management, empowering fisherfolk, and promoting sustainable practices within Ghana’s fisheries sector.
The partnership between GFRA and the Fisheries Commission, along with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, has been pivotal in driving progress in these areas.
As the GFRA team bid farewell, they encouraged the Fisheries Commission to maintain momentum on initiatives started under USAID’s support. This includes programs aimed at helping fishing communities adopt sustainable fishing practices, which are crucial for the long-term health of Ghana’s fishing industry.
“We stress the importance of maintaining the momentum of programs initiated under USAID’s support, ensuring that Ghana’s fishing communities continue to benefit from these interventions,” D’Agnes emphasized.
Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Prof. Benjamin Betey Campion, expressed profound gratitude to USAID for its invaluable contributions to Ghana’s fisheries sector. “We are deeply grateful to USAID for their support, and we assure that the Fisheries Commission will make every effort to continue implementing some, if not all, of the activities previously funded by USAID,” he said. “We will ensure that the progress achieved does not go to waste.”
The termination of GFRA activities marks a challenging period for Ghana’s fisheries sector, which has benefited significantly from USAID’s support. As the country navigates this transition, stakeholders are hopeful that alternative funding sources or partnerships will emerge to sustain the critical work initiated by GFRA.
