Addressing the participants at the workshop, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Naa Afoley Quaye said government has taken several initiatives to transform its aquaculture into market – oriented agricultural sub – sector which involves human resource capacity building right from the farmer to professional level.

She noted that the sector is also attracting foreign investment in areas such as feed, seed production and large scale commercial farms to help leverage the Industry as well as putting in place an enabling policy environment.

She mentioned that, animals feeds account for up to 60% of operational costs of animal producers, adding that it is known that farmed meat and fish are produced more cheaply in the continents that economies of scale and where producers have access to high quality feed, stock material, extension services and are implementing viable business models to produce their products.

“It is of no surprise therefore that, Ghana, has consequently taken initiative to improve the production and supply of high quality nutritionally complete diets for the animal sector, said Afoley Quaye.

According to her, as the expected outputs of the meetings is to develop aquaculture business models and extension strategies as guidelines to support sustainable commercial aquaculture, guidelines for the trans boundary production, distribution and trade of aquatic animal seed  and brood- stock, shall provide the country a clearer pathway through which to address very pertinent issues affecting the country’s bid to transform its aquaculture and livestock industries in lieu of id socio economic development goals.

Participants of the workshops were Representatives from Regional Economic community and representative from all member states