By: Mercy Nimo
The fishing industry is hit with some challenges ranging from poor working conditions by fishers to low fish catch posing a threat to the socio economic status of Ghana.
To help curb these challenges, the International Labour Organisation, ILO in partnership with the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council is organising series of workshops to educate fishermen in Ghana’s Coastal Communities on forced labour and International Standards in Marine Fishing Sector to ensure an effective labour force and securing their territory.
The participants were fisherfolk from Ketu South, Keta and Anloga in the Southern part of the Volta region of Ghana. They were taken through issues of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour in the commercial marine fishing and educated on international standards and best practices.
The National Project Officer at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Emmanuel Kwame Mensah said the ILO, through its 8.7 accelerator lab program seek to work with stakeholders to address the decent work deficits in the marine fishing sector to improve working conditions of the fishers.
He stressed that fishers play a vital role in the economic status of every country hence the need to enhance the knowledge base of both employers and employees in the marine fisheries sub sector to know the international standards of work and also the need to safeguard their future by applying for life insurance.
Participants in an interview with GBC News said they have been empowered to assert their rights as well as perform their responsibilities in the context of their engagement in the fishing activities.
The ILO 8.7 Accelerator Lab program is replicated in other parts of Africa as well as other Continents and it is set to continue in the Coastal communities of the central, western and the greater Accra regions of Ghana.
The target is to ensure that the Sustainable Development.