Liberia has taken a significant leadership role in regional fisheries governance as Emma Metieh Glassco, Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), assumes the Chairmanship of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).
This milestone, achieved during Monrovia’s 15th Ministerial Fisheries Sub-Regional Conference, marks Liberia’s growing influence in addressing marine sustainability and fisheries management across the region.
The event drew high-profile participants, including President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Senate Pro Tempore Hon. Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, and members of Liberia’s Cabinet. Internationally, Nigeria’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola, joined delegates from other FCWC member states and development partners, signaling strong regional and global support for the conference.
Emma Metieh Glassco pledged to strengthen regional cooperation and advance the FCWC’s agenda in her remarks. She commended the efforts of NaFAA’s planning team, led by Mr. Samuel Tugba and Mrs. Tete Doe Momoh, for successfully organizing the international gathering.
“This chairmanship underscores Liberia’s dedication to sustainable fisheries management and our commitment to working collaboratively with member states to address shared challenges,” Glassco stated.
The conference began on December 11, 2024, and included technical sessions with directors, technicians, partners, and donors from across the FCWC member countries. Key discussion topics included combatting overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and addressing the adverse impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. These issues are critical to ensuring food security and the sustainability of fisheries resources in the region.
Hon. William Y. Boeh, NaFAA’s Deputy Director General for Technical Services, emphasized the significance of Liberia’s new role in the FCWC. “Our chairmanship represents a firm commitment to regional collaboration and actionable strategies to protect our shared fisheries resources,” he said.
Fred Antwi-Boadu, Executive Director of Ghana’s Fisheries Commission, who opened the conference, highlighted the importance of regional solidarity in fostering sustainable practices and protecting marine ecosystems. “The health of our oceans is directly tied to the prosperity of our people,” Antwi-Boadu noted.
FCWC Secretary-General Antoine Gaston Djihinto underscored the urgency of integrated and sustainable fisheries governance. He called on member states to ensure equitable socio-economic benefits and prioritize rational resource exploitation. “Our responsibility extends beyond today; it’s about securing these resources for future generations,” Djihinto remarked.
The conference will conclude with a ministerial meeting on December 13, 2024, at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, where actionable recommendations will be finalized to guide the FCWC’s future direction. Liberia’s leadership of the FCWC signals its readiness to take on greater responsibilities in shaping sustainable policies for the fisheries sector, reinforcing its role as a key player in regional marine governance.
Liberia’s assumption of the FCWC Chairmanship is a significant achievement and a call to action for continued collaboration and innovation in addressing the pressing challenges facing West and Central Africa’s fisheries.
