Stakeholders in Ghana’s fisheries sector have called for the introduction of targeted scholarship schemes for students from fishing communities, especially along the Volta Lake, to improve education and healthcare delivery in underserved areas.
Mr. Daniel Akpaglo Nyamekor, National Vice President of the Chief Fishermen and Queen Fishmongers Council, made the call at the launch of the association in Kete Krachi in the Oti Region.
He urged the government and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to establish scholarship packages for qualified students from fishing communities to pursue courses at Colleges of Education and Nursing Training Institutions.
Mr. Nyamekor said that although the government had invested in educational infrastructure nationwide, some riparian communities still faced difficulties accessing quality education due to limited school facilities and challenges in attracting and retaining trained teachers.
He noted that this situation negatively affected learning outcomes and limited opportunities for young people, with implications for the long- term socioeconomic development of those communities.
Mr. Nyamekor explained that a dedicated scholarship scheme would help indigenes become teachers and health professionals who could return and serve their communities.
“By investing in the education and training of young people from these communities, we can build a pool of professionals who understand the local environment, language, and culture, making service delivery more effective and sustainable,” he said.
He added that teachers and nurses from fishing communities would be more likely to accept postings and stay in such areas, reducing staff turnover and maintaining continuity in essential services.
Mr. Nyamekor stated that this initiative would support decentralisation and local content policies by encouraging community participation and ownership of development programmes.
He emphasised that strengthening education and healthcare systems in fishing communities would enhance household resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods.
“In investing in education and health personnel from these communities, we are not only addressing immediate service gaps but also securing the future of the sector,” he said.
He also noted that improved literacy and health outcomes would enable fisherfolk and fish processors to adopt modern practices, diversify income sources, and participate effectively in local governance.
Participants at the event welcomed the proposal and expressed optimism that the scholarship initiative would complement existing government efforts to improve living conditions in coastal and riparian communities.
They pledged to work with District Assemblies, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ministry of Health to identify beneficiaries and establish monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
By Kingsley Mamore
