Seychelles and Ghana to cooperate in fisheries |10 May 2017

Seychelles and Ghana have signed an accord to promote and strengthen the cooperation in the field of fisheries in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of both parties.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday by the Seychelles Minister for Agriculture & Fisheries Michael Benstrong and the Ghanaian Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Elizabeth Afoley Quaye.

Minister Quaye noted that “to strengthen the ties between Ghana and Seychelles, in 2014, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, signed five agreements with her counterpart minister of the Republic of Seychelles. The agreements included an administrative one to allow the two countries to bolster their tuna exports towards the European market. This administrative agreement makes provision for the two nations, which both have tuna fishing agreements with the European Union, to buy fish from each other. The signing of the MoU is rooted in the values the two nations share and nurtured by the deep and multifaceted ties forged over the years. It is being signed in recognition of the importance of the fisheries sector to both countries and the benefits to be derived from its implementation which takes effect immediately”.

How will this MoU benefit Seychelles? Minister Benstrong told the press that “with this MoU both our countries will be able to exchange scientific and technical information about tuna as both our countries have successful tuna processing plants. We also participate in international forums where both our countries can cooperate and achieve the best for our nations. It is important to note that this MoU does not stipulate that Ghanaian boats can fish in our waters or our boats can fish in their seas. This is under a totally different agreement.”

The areas of cooperation under this MoU are: exchange of fisheries-related information, technology and statistical data for assessment and management of fisheries resources; organise joint research programmes, workshops, scientific and technology exchange as may be beneficial to the promotion and development of fisheries for both parties; promote fishing technologies, fish processing activities, distribution and trade of fish and fishery products; promote cooperation among private stakeholders and fishing associations of both parties and exchange visits of fisheries scientists, experts, officials and organise workshops and seminars in fisheries related subjects.

Talking about the Seychelles-Ghana relationship, Minister Benstrong told her Ghanaian counterpart that “you personally taking the time to fly across the continent to Seychelles illustrates the importance that your government and your good self attach to this dossier. I am sure we are today laying the foundations for a mutually beneficial relationship between our fisheries sectors which will endure the test of time for generations to come. We already have some trading links between our two countries where IOT of Seychelles regularly imports tuna from Ghana for its operations”.

The Ghanaian minister also referred to the historical bonds between the two countries: “Ghana-Seychelles relations date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when the Asantehene Nana Prempeh 1, Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Queen of Ejisu, other chiefs and royals from the then Gold Coast were exiled after they resisted the British Colonial control, especially the attempt to capture the Golden Stool of the Ashanti Kingdom. There is a historical tie and rich heritage between Seychelles and Ghana and I am happy to note that the descendants of these royals are still living in Seychelles and do come home once in a while.”

Both Ghana and Seychelles have related on several fronts on the international scene as members of the UN, AU and Commonwealth. One of our former Chief Justices, Mr Abaan was of Ghanaian origin and Nicol Elizabeth, a Seychellois national, is the general manager of the Pioneer Food Cannery, Ghana’s largest processor and exporter of tuna fisheries products.

The current King of the Ashanti, His Majecty Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, also attended the 2015 Carnaval International de Victoria.