The Ghana’s Employers Association (GEA) launched, in February 2025, the Employer’s Code of Practice and Action Plan to eliminate child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking in the country’s fisheries sector.
The objective of the Code is to ensure employers take proactive measures for eliminating these harmful practices and comply with ethical labour practices in the fishing industry. The Code provides a comprehensive framework that outlines the obligations of employers, workers, recruitment agencies and other relevant stakeholders. This tool will ensure all workers enjoy fundamental principles and rights at work and that the country’s fisheries sector remains competitive and internationally respected.
In terms of the overall economy, Ghana’s fisheries sector accounts for approximately 4.5% of the national gross domestic product and employs 140,000 people (CGIAR, 2024).
The Code was developed by GEA in collaboration with the National Fisheries Association of Ghana, the Ghana Tuna Association, the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association, and the fisheries associations involved in artisanal fishing. Additionally, the International Labour Organization-Abuja Country Office, the 8.7 Accelerator Lab Multi-Partner Fund project, and the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) have been instrumental in supporting this project.