By Bill W. Cooper
The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Emma M. Glassco, has bragged about Liberia’s readiness to host the 15th Ministerial Conference of the Fisheries Committee for West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) in Monrovia from 11-13, December 2024.
Appearing as a guest on ELBC radio yesterday, December 2, 2024, Madam Glassco said, “Liberia is ready to host the 15th Ministerial Conference of the Fisheries Committee for West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) from December 11-13, 2024.”
The Fisheries Committee for West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) is a regional fisheries organization with a membership of six West African countries: Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo.
The Fisheries Committee for West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) was established in 2007. This is to facilitate cooperation in fisheries management among member countries. The countries have several shared fish stocks and have identified a need for cooperation and shared management of these resources.
According to her, currently, NaFAA is now following clear instruction from the office of President Joseph Boakai, “to go ahead with preparations leading to the hosting of a successful international fisheries conference in Monrovia”.
“During the conference, Liberia will play host to several international fisheries delegates including the Fisheries Ministers of Benin, Togo, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria, along with their technicians,” she noted.
Madam Glassco further disclosed that others guests expected to arrive in Liberia for the three-day international conference include Heads of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations/Bodies, International Fisheries-related Institutions, and International Observers.
She mentioned among other things, that at the three-day Ministerial Conference, there will be two -days of technical working sessions at the Mamba Point Hotel in Monrovia from December 11-12, 2024, and a one-day concluding session at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
“The conference marks a historic occasion for the Liberian fisheries sector, as Liberia through the fisheries authority will assume the Chairmanship position from Ghana as the main driver of fisheries policies and good governance within the subregion,” she said.
Madam Glassco, has at the same time narrated that another cardinal thing that would come out of the three-day International Fisheries Conference is the “Monrovia Declaration” to honor the host country.
“As part of the Monrovia Declaration, member states would carry out joint fisheries patrols and operate a joint closed fisheries season,” she mentioned.
Meanwhile, the NaFAA boss also mentioned during the simulcast that the Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, NaFAA is honored to host this auspicious International Fisheries Conference which has the potential to expose the fisheries sector to investment opportunities.
