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Ghana’s marine artisanal fisheries subsector is an important contributor to livelihoods, food security and nutrition. Despite formal institutions and laws, annual landings of small pelagic species, the most important fishery in local communities, have been declining. In Ghana, fisheries management using traditional fisheries knowledge could be crucial for food and economic security and critical towards achieving the UN Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG). This study was therefore conducted to document the fishing, fish processing and fisheries management practices of the Ga people of Ghana as a starting point for sustaining the fisheries, local fishing communities and fish value chains. Data were collected from three landing beaches using interviews and focus group discussions with fishermen, fishmongers and the respective chief fisherman. The results include findings on fishing gears and techniques, fish processing and sales and traditional fisheries management and leadership. The dominant gear used are varied forms of drift and purse seine nets on motorised canoes. Fishermen navigate using the moon, features on land, sea depth and the direction and sound of sea waves. Behavioural patterns of different fish species are used to identify fishes in the water during fishing. Catches are distributed by the canoe owner’s wife, and money from the sale is divided into three equal shares: a part to pay for fishing expenses and the other parts for the owner of the canoe and the fishing crew. The main fish processing method is smoking using the Chorkor oven. At each landing site, there is a chief fisherman who is respected as a repository of traditional knowledge on fishing practices and fisheries management. This study provides key insights into Ga traditional knowledge and highlights the need to incorporate and involve fishing communities in national fisheries policymaking. It is argued that traditional knowledge and leaders can contribute to a more sustainable management of Ghanaian fisheries and achieving SDGs 14, 1 and 2. The results of this study can also serve as a preliminary information basis and a guide for a possible adoption of the ecosystem approach to fisheries in Ghana. This could enable the country to fully fulfil her obligations under the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

ABSTRACTThis study assessed the physical characteristics, faecal, ammonia and phosphorus waste production rates of mixtures of groundnut, cottonseed, copra and soybean meals as a replacement for fishmeal in Nile tilapia diets. Six experimental diets were formulated such that the oilseed mixtures contributed 80% of total dietary protein. A fishmeal-based diet served as the control. The diets were randomly assigned in triplicates to the experimental tanks, containing 15 juvenile tilapia with a bulk weight of ∼1 kg. Ammonia and phosphorus excretion rates of the diets were monitored at 3-hour intervals over 24 h. The pellet characteristics, faecal and nutrient waste production were assessed. The control diet recorded a mean bulk density of 376.00 ± 5.19 g L−1which was lower than the oilseed-based diets which ranged from 550.67 ± 3.06 g L−1to 614.27 ± 2.08 g L−1. There was a positive correlation (p < 0.0001; r = 0.93) between the sinking rates of pellets and their bulk densities. The oilseed-based diets recorded 4–45% higher faecal matter production compared to the control diet. Fish fed Diet 3 had the lowest Total Ammonia-nitrogen (TAN) excretion rate of 106.14 ± 1.95 mg kg−1while the control diet recorded the highest TAN excretion of 162.31 ± 4.39 mg kg−1. Accumulated dissolved phosphorus was 64.52–74.09% lower in the oilseed-based diets compared to the control.

Jatropha for biofuel production created high expectations in Ghana for boosting rural development and national energy security. In the mid-to-late 2000s, large areas were allocated across the country to jatropha investments that eventually collapsed. Jatropha collapse has been prevalent across Africa but few studies have empirically addressed the (a) drivers of jatropha collapse (b) post-collapse impacts, and (c) future acceptability of jatropha. Through household surveys and expert interviews, we capture the perceptions of key stakeholders in Ghana involved in the biofuel sector at the national/regional level and local communities around six collapsed jatropha projects. Key drivers of collapse include the (a) low jatropha productivity, (b) weak business planning, (c) community conflicts, (d) institutional barriers, and (e) civil society opposition. Land-related issues are central to almost all of these drivers of collapse. While there is currently considerable scepticism among stakeholders about the future of the biofuel sector in Ghana (and especially of jatropha), there is still some interest in jatropha as reflected in community surveys and recent government policies. As we could not identify a single dominant driver of jatropha collapse locally or nationally “silver bullet” solutions might not exist. However, improving the land administration system would be a key if the negative past experiences of jatropha boom and bust are to be avoided.

Conventional uses of synthetic coagulants in wastewater treatment are costly, pose serious health risk to end-users, and pollute aquatic environments with nonbiodegradable materials. This study examined the potential of Cassia fistulaplant parts at different dosages to decontaminate mine wastewater. A 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments involving three C. fistulaparts (seeds, leaves, and roots) at three dosages (50 mg L−1, 100 mg L−1, and 150 mg L−1) was adopted using jar test experimental procedures. Dosage and C. fistulaparts had significant effects on heavy metal concentrations and water physico-chemical properties (p< 0.0001). Bio-coagulants at the three dosages significantly lowered levels of copper, cadmium, and iron compared to alum (100 mg L−1). Only 150 mg L−1of C. fistulaleaves significantly reduced arsenic content within the WHO standards. C. fistularoots at 50 mg L−1and leaves at 50 and 100 mg L−1reduced Fe content of the wastewater by more than 99%, though residual Fe content for bio-coagulant treatments were still above the WHO guidelines. Root extracts at 50 mg L−1dosage more effectively reduced conductivity to within EPA acceptable limits. Similarly, 50 mg L−1leave extracts resulted in 99% reduction in turbidity and total suspended solids, though residual turbidity was still above the WHO recommended limit. Leaves and roots of C. fistulaat varied dosages can effectively decontaminate wastewater due to the varied amounts and composition of functional groups in these parts. C. fistulaparts offer a cost-effective option of purifying polluted mine wastewater and increasing quality water availability.