Fisheries Ministry Audits GH¢4.98m Premix Funds, Pilots LPG Outboard Motors
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has announced that audits and reconciliations covering about GH¢4.98 million in Community Development Funds generated from premix fuel sales have been completed across 42 of Ghana’s 60 fisheries districts as government steps up efforts to improve accountability in the sector.
Speaking at the Ministry’s mid-year media engagement on Wednesday in Accra, she said the exercise covered 70 per cent of the country’s fisheries districts and formed part of reforms aimed at strengthening financial management and rebuilding confidence in the premix fuel distribution system.
She said the audits uncovered delayed deposits, poor bookkeeping, unauthorised expenditure and weaknesses in financial management. Rather than overlook the findings, the Ministry had introduced measures to improve oversight and compliance.
The minister said training in bookkeeping and financial management had been organised for Landing Beach Committees and other fisheries stakeholders, while monitoring systems were being strengthened to ensure Community Development Funds were used for their intended purpose.
She said government had also improved the supply of premix fuel through direct distribution from the Tema Oil Refinery, the engagement of additional Bulk Distribution Companies and the expansion of automated premix stations across the country.
According to her, 22.41 million litres of premix fuel were supplied to fishing communities between January and June 2026, representing an increase of more than 58 per cent over the same period in 2025 and more than 20 percent above the corresponding period in 2024.
Mrs Arthur also announced the successful pilot of LPG-powered outboard motors for inland fishing operations in partnership with private sector energy companies.
She said the pilot demonstrated the potential to improve the profitability of fishing businesses, reduce dependence on premix fuel and lower carbon emissions from fishing activities.
The Minister said the Ministry was working with stakeholders to expand the use of the technology as part of efforts to promote cleaner and more efficient fishing methods.
She disclosed that the Ministry was also preparing to hold a National Inland Fisheries Conference to shape future investments and policies for the inland fisheries subsector.
She said views gathered during her engagements with fishing communities across the Volta Basin and other parts of the country would help guide discussions at the conference.
According to her, fishing communities had consistently called for improved access to finance, better landing facilities, expanded markets, support for fish processing and sustainable fish stocks.
She said the conference would provide a platform to address these concerns and help chart the future of inland fisheries development in Ghana
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
