Tilipia farming industry in Ghana gets boost

Tilapia has become a popular delicacy in Ghana. The trend
has boosted Tilapia demand in the country and has made
many entrepreneurs to invest in commercial Tilapia
farming.
Osu Oxford Street in Ghana's capital Accra is bustling with
people going about their daily business. In the middle of the
city, there is one food stall in particular that is attracting the
Ghanaians.
It has a popular treat, Tilapia served with hot pepper,
onions and local side dishes like Banku and Kenkey.
Maame Akua, the owner of this Tilapia stall, says the
business is booming. "We buy the Tilapia fresh from the
market and spice it well with ginger among others. People
like it very much."
A growing industry
The huge demand for Tilapia has led many entrepreneurs to
leave other businesses and venture into the aquaculture
industry. One of them is Menson Torkonoo, a former banking
manager at the Bank of Africa.
He owns Rehobothgoshen Fisheries LTD, located on the
shores of Ghana's Volta Lake. This is where several cages
have been put up for rearing the fingerlings that will develop
into Tilapia. He started the business in 2011 and now he
employs 21 workers.
Torkonoo's first few years in the industry have been a
challenge. "Even with all the catch fisheries we have in the
sea and with all the local fishermen giving us fish in Ghana,
we have not able to meet even fifty percent of the demand,"
Torkonoo said.
But he is optimistic that this will change. "We have all the
potential," he said. Depending on the density of Tilapia in
the water at the time of harvesting, his business can
sometimes harvest as much as four tons (4,000 kilograms)
of fish in one net. "My aim is to produce for Ghanaians [...]
make sure that everybody has fish to eat."
Research developments
Last year, a delegation of Ghanaians visited Europe to learn
new technologies in the sector. Dr. Felix Yaw Klamatikpoe
is a scientist with Ghana's water research institute.
For the last 15 years he has been involved in developing the
Akosombo strain of the Nile Tilapia to make it more suitable
for commercial farming purposes.