The Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana has successfully concluded an intensive capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening the technical and professional competencies of its staff and resource persons in advocacy, lobbying, stakeholder engagement, and policy influence within Ghana’s growing aquaculture sector.
Held over several days and culminating on Friday, May 22, 2026, the training formed part of the Chamber’s broader institutional development agenda focused not only on advancing the aquaculture industry but also on investing in the professional growth and well-being of its staff. The initiative reflects the Chamber’s belief that a strong, motivated, and highly skilled technical team is essential for delivering sustainable impact across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
The programme was facilitated by Mr. Frans van Gerwen of PUM Netherlands Senior Experts, who guided participants through practical and analytical approaches to advocacy strategy, communication, and institutional engagement, alongside the Chamber’s technical team.
Throughout the sessions, participants explored the evolving role of advocacy within Ghana’s Blue Economy and examined the distinction between broad public advocacy and precision lobbying. Facilitators explained that while advocacy often focuses on influencing public opinion through media campaigns and awareness creation, lobbying requires direct and strategic engagement with policymakers, regulators, parliamentary actors, financial institutions, and sector stakeholders to achieve measurable policy and legislative outcomes.
To deepen practical understanding, the Chamber’s technical team was taken through a structured eleven-step lobbying framework covering organizational self-assessment, stakeholder alignment, alliance building, campaign planning, and implementation strategy. Participants also examined the importance of early institutional assessments to ensure realistic planning and efficient resource allocation before embarking on advocacy campaigns.
A major highlight of the programme was the introduction of analytical decision-making tools such as the Eisenhower Matrix and the Action Priority Matrix, helping participants prioritize interventions based on urgency, importance, and impact. These exercises were contextualized around key sector challenges, including climate-related production risks, rising operational costs, and access to finance.
As part of the practical component of the training, participants undertook field visits to selected Chamber members, engaging directly with industry actors to better understand real-world production systems, operational challenges, and opportunities within the aquaculture value chain. This field exposure strengthened the link between theory and practice, enriching the overall advocacy and lobbying strategy development process.
The programme also placed strong emphasis on stakeholder mapping and institutional power analysis. Through group exercises, participants developed detailed engagement maps outlining influence pathways between the Chamber and key institutions such as the Fisheries Commission, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA), financial institutions, and development partners. Discussions further explored strategies for improving investment confidence and expanding access to finance within the sector.
Another key component focused on communication and interpersonal effectiveness. Participants assessed different communication and leadership styles and explored adaptive approaches for engaging diverse stakeholders in negotiations and collaborative decision-making processes. The sessions reinforced empathy, teamwork, and strategic communication as critical drivers of successful advocacy outcomes.
The capacity-building programme concluded with an intensive debriefing and evaluation session on Friday. Participants reviewed key takeaways, assessed team dynamics, and outlined immediate steps for applying newly acquired position paper frameworks to ongoing industry challenges, ensuring the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana remains a scientifically grounded and effective advocate for sustainable fish farming, biosecurity, and aquaculture growth nationwide.
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to continuously investing in its people, strengthening institutional capacity, and championing evidence-based advocacy for food security and economic growth. It also extended appreciation to PUM Netherlands Senior Expert, Mr. Frans van Gerwen, for his technical guidance and partnership in advancing a more resilient aquaculture industry in Ghana.