-As the 15th Ministerial Conference Kicks Off in Monrovia
The Deputy Director General for Technical Services at Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Hon. William Y. Boeh, has revealed that Liberia is set to become the chairperson of the Fisheries Conference of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).
The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) is a regional fisheries organization with a membership of six West African countries: Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo.
The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) was established in 2007 to facilitate cooperation in fisheries management among the member countries.
Speaking at the opening of the 15th Ministerial Fisheries Conference of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) on December 11, 2024, the Deputy Director General for Technical Services at Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Hon. William Y. Boeh, made the revelation asserting that Liberia’s chairmanship will boost the national and regional economy.
Director Boeh emphasized the significance of the 15th Ministerial Fisheries Conference of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) in fostering actionable strategies and enhancing regional collaboration. Hon. Boehhighlighted that Liberia’s role as the host country is especially notable as it is set to assume the FCWC chairmanship.
“This event is a defining moment for Liberia. By assuming the FCWC Chairmanship, we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to regional leadership and collaboration,” Hon. Boeh said. “We are honored to serve as a hub for these critical discussions and to work with our fellow member states to drive meaningful progress.”
He also noted the importance of the conference, which brings together an exceptional mix of regional leaders, technical experts, policymakers, and partners working to safeguard the vital fisheries of the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
Meanwhile, the 15th Ministerial Fisheries Conference of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) officially began in Monrovia, Liberia, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
The conference which will see a declaration being done in honor of the host country brought together Fisheries Directors, technicians from member countries, and representatives from partner organizations and donors gathered at a local hotel to mark the event’s opening.
The three-day conference runs from December 11-13, 2024, featuring two days of technical discussions before culminating in the Ministerial meeting on December 13 at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, outside Monrovia.
At the same time, Hon. Boeh’s remarks were echoed by Liberia’s Deputy Director General for Technical Services, Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco, who, on behalf of the Director General, outlined key issues such as overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change, and governance gaps as major threats to food security in the region.
In his keynote address, the Executive Director of the Ghana Fisheries Commission and Chairman of the Advisory and Coordinating Committee, Mr. Fred Antwi-Boadu, underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation among the six FCWC member countries. He emphasized the need to promote sustainable practices and resilient marine ecosystems.
“Our focus is to promote decent work and sustainable practices within the fisheries sector while strengthening the resilience of our marine ecosystems,” Mr. Antwi-Boadu said. “These objectives go hand in hand with the health of our oceans and directly impact our people’s prosperity.”
Mr. Antwi-Boadu also highlighted the economic, social, and environmental importance of the fisheries sector in West Africa, which supports millions of livelihoods, contributes to food security, and bolsters the regional economy.
The session also featured remarks from FCWC Secretary-General, Mr. Antoine Gaston Djihinto, who noted the complex challenges facing the region’s fisheries sector, which impact the economy, communities, and marine ecosystems alike. He called for an integrated, responsible, and sustainable approach to governance, emphasizing the need to balance resource exploitation and conservation while ensuring equitable benefits for the population.
“The challenges we face today affect not only the present but also the future,” said Mr. Djihinto. “We must build a responsible governance system that ensures the long-term health of our fisheries and benefits our communities.”
The technical discussions will continue for the next two days, to develop concrete solutions and recommendations to be presented at the Ministerial meeting on Friday, December 13, 2024.
