Ghana’s high-level official visit to Italy from February 14–21, 2026, was successfully completed, and as a result, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with CIHEAM Bari under the AREA Africa Program, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture writes.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Bari, Italy, on February 20, 2026, by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Biagio Di Terlizzi, Director of CIHEAM Bari, and Emelia Arthur.
In order to promote sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture development, research and training, institutional capacity building, private sector investment, and Blue Economy development, Ghana and Italy have formed a strategic collaboration.
Key Areas of the Partnership
Under the MoU, both parties will partner to:
Strengthen institutional capacity in the fisheries and aquaculture sector
Improve fisheries governance and fish stock recovery systems
Promote aquaculture innovation, including offshore aquaculture
Support research collaboration and postgraduate training
Encourage private sector partnerships and investment
Enhance climate resilience and Blue Economy development
Highlights of the Official Visit
The Ghanaian group met with Italian marine authorities, fisheries cooperatives, aquaculture operators, seafood processors, and training institutions in Bari, Monopoli, Tricase, Gallipoli, and Torre Suda during the tour.
The engagements provided Ghana with practical lessons on:
Community-led fisheries management approaches
Offshore marine aquaculture systems
Modern fish processing, cold chain and traceability systems
Maritime safety, vessel monitoring and surveillance technologies
Marine Protected Area (MPA) governance and ecosystem restoration
These experiences will support Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the fisheries sector, reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen monitoring and enforcement, and promote sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities.
Next Actions
To operationalise the relationship and make sure that its results significantly advance Ghana’s fisheries reform and Blue Economy objectives, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture will collaborate closely with CIHEAM Bari and other stakeholders to create an implementation roadmap.
Source: newsthemegh.com