Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, embarked on a working visit to R & B Farms, an integrated aquaculture farm located in Gomoa Nsuem within the Gomoa Central District. The purpose of her visit was to gain firsthand insight into the farm’s operations and assess its contribution to the national aquaculture sector. The minister expressed her profound satisfaction with the company’s commitment to producing high-quality fish for local consumption, emphasizing the significant role it plays in generating employment opportunities and subsequently alleviating unemployment within the region. She acknowledged R & B Farms as the largest inland fish farm in Ghana, recognizing its potential to bolster the nation’s food security. The minister pledged the government’s unwavering support to the farm’s management in achieving its ambitious goals, particularly in contributing to a robust and sustainable aquaculture sector.
The minister’s visit underlined the government’s commitment to partnering with private sector players like R & B Farms to boost the aquaculture industry. She indicated that the existing partnership agreement between the government and the farm would be reviewed and potentially enhanced to maximize its benefits for the Ghanaian populace. This review, she explained, would be conducted in consultation with President John Dramani Mahama, demonstrating the government’s high-level interest in supporting the growth and development of this crucial sector. The minister highlighted the farm’s potential to create more employment opportunities, enabling individuals to achieve financial independence and provide for their families, thereby contributing to overall economic stability and improved living standards.
Honourable Emelia Arthur’s visit to R & B Farms formed part of a broader initiative to assess and enhance the aquaculture sector across the country. She had recently visited other aquaculture farms in the Volta, Oti, and Western Regions, indicating a comprehensive approach to understanding the diverse landscape of aquaculture in Ghana. This nationwide assessment underscores the government’s commitment to identifying opportunities for expansion within the sector, with the ultimate goal of creating more jobs and bolstering food security. As a wholly Ghanaian-owned enterprise, R & B Farms stands to benefit significantly from government support aimed at developing the aquaculture sector, ensuring its sustainable growth and contribution to the national economy.
Mr. Ben Turkson, Director of Operations at R & B Farms, welcomed the minister and provided an overview of the farm’s operations. He explained that the farm was established five years prior with the twin goals of enhancing the nutritional value available to Ghanaians and creating much-needed job opportunities for the country’s youth. The company’s vision, according to Mr. Turkson, is to address the high unemployment rate among young people across all 16 regions of Ghana, aiming to provide employment opportunities for over 10 million unemployed youth. This ambitious target reflects the farm’s commitment not only to its own growth but also to its social responsibility within the broader national context.
Hon. Kwame Asare Obeng, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, also joined the visit and commended the management of R & B Farms for their significant contributions to the local economy. He affirmed the farm’s status as the largest inland aquaculture farm in the country and highlighted its potential to generate substantial employment opportunities for youth within his constituency. This, he noted, would significantly alleviate economic hardships faced by many within the community. Hon. Obeng expressed his confidence that the farm’s continued growth would lead to the creation of more jobs, further reducing unemployment and boosting the local economy. He also expressed his appreciation for the minister’s visit, hoping it would translate into concrete support for R & B Farms, enabling the farm to achieve its ambitious goals and objectives.
In essence, the visit by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture to R & B Farms highlighted the farm’s crucial role in food security, job creation, and economic development. It also showcased the government’s commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of the aquaculture sector in Ghana. The collaborative efforts between the government and private sector players like R & B Farms are seen as pivotal in driving economic growth, reducing unemployment, and enhancing the overall well-being of Ghanaians. The farm’s commitment to employing a significant portion of the unemployed youth, its status as a wholly Ghanaian-owned enterprise, and its impressive scale of operations position it as a critical stakeholder in the nation’s economic development. The government’s recognition of this potential, coupled with its pledge of support, suggests a promising future for R & B Farms and the aquaculture sector as a whole.
