Report On 32nd Municipal and District Farmers’ Day Celebrations (Ga East Municipal, Efutu Municipal and Gomoa West District)

The event took place on November 4, 2016, instead of the usual first Friday in December, due to national elections. The theme for this year's event was "Agriculture; a business response to economic growth," emphasizing the importance of agriculture as a commercial establishment that can create profitable growth and improve living standards. The SFMP project aimed to publicize its work and sensitize the public on the effects of IUU fishing. The project also sought to appreciate and reward individuals who practice hygienic processing of fish. Development Action Association (DAA), a local implementing partner of the SFMP, participated in the event to promote and create a market for products produced by fish processor groups. At the Ga South Municipal Assembly, the call was made to fisher folks to adopt and practice responsible fishing and fishing methods by saying "NO TO BAD FISH." The event provided a platform for DAA women processors to exhibit their hygienic ways of packaging fish and fish products for the markets. The SFMP project also recognized individuals who practice hygienic processing of fish during the Farmers' and Fishers' day celebrations. The SFMP project has advocated for safe fishing and processing practices and has pushed for the recognition of individuals who practice hygienic processing of fish. The project has also promoted the importance of the fishing industry, which employs over two million people and constitutes 10 percent of the national population. The dwindling fortunes of the fishing industry imply that the livelihood of this significant percentage of the population will be affected adversely if key steps are not taken to reverse the trend. The SFMP project has implemented various interventions to promote sustainable fisheries management, including farmer training programs, infrastructure development, and market linkage facilitation. The project has also established demonstration plots to showcase the benefits of sustainable fishing practices. The SFMP project has partnered with various organizations, including the Coastal Resources Center, CEWEFIA, DAA, Friends of the Nation, Hen Mpoano, Resonance Global, and SNV, to implement its interventions. The project has also received funding from the USAID/Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project, which is implemented by the University of Rhode Island and Development Action Association. The SFMP project has made significant progress in promoting sustainable fisheries management in Ghana. The project has created awareness about the importance of sustainable fishing practices and has promoted the recognition of individuals who practice hygienic processing of fish. The project has also provided a platform for fish processor groups to exhibit their products and has promoted the creation of a market for these products.