At the National Fisheries Investment Conference Liberia 2026-KPONGAMA, Honourable Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, urged for increased regional collaboration and strategic investment in Africa’s blue economy.
The Minister stressed in his opening remarks at the conference in Liberia that cooperation, sustainable management, and thoughtful policy planning are key to the future of Africa’s maritime and fishing industry.
In order to discuss investment opportunities and sustainable development of marine and inland water resources, government officials, investors, development partners, and fisheries stakeholders from throughout the region gathered for the conference, which had as its theme “Unlocking the Blue Horizon: The Future of Fisheries and the Blue Economy.”
Blue Economy Is Africa’s Present Opportunity
The Minister stated in her speech that African nations should actively pursue the blue economy rather than viewing it as a long-term goal.
Liberia’s choice to concentrate on fisheries and the blue economy, according to her, is a statement of purpose to turn its marine resources into prosperity, sustainability, and national resilience.
She claims that Ghana and Liberia are partners in the common endeavour to create sustainable ocean-based economies, in addition to being neighbours.
Ghana’s Blue Economy Approach
The Minister shared Ghana’s experience and clarified that stakeholder participation, scientific research, policy alignment, and strong political commitment were the cornerstones of Ghana’s blue economy journey.
She disclosed that Ghana had created and received Cabinet approval for its National Blue Economy Strategy, which is presently being put into action. Six strategic priorities form the foundation of the strategy:
Blue Wealth
Blue Health
Blue Knowledge
Blue Finance
Blue Equity
Blue Safety and Security
She emphasised that coordinated ocean management, robust institutions, and efficient governance are necessary to develop a blue economy.
Call for Regional Cooperation
The Minister also underlined that regional collaboration is necessary rather than optional because West African nations share connected seas, seafood stocks, and climate dangers.
She pointed out that nations bordering the Atlantic
Coasts have the chance to create a blue economy that is coordinated, regenerative, and advantageous for coming generations.
Blue Economy About People, Not Just Resources
She finished by reminding participants that the true worth of the blue economy should be assessed not by the resources harvested from the ocean, but by the enhancement of residents’ lives through jobs, food security, resilience, and economic development.
The National Fisheries Investment Conference Liberia 2026 is expected to build collaborations, attract investment to Liberia’s fisheries sector, and support sustainable blue economy development in West Africa.
Source: newsthemegh.com