Analysis of fishers’ wellbeing in the western region of Ghana
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Date
2023
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Development in Practice
Abstract
Small-scale fisheries in Ghana are declining in response to the global
fisheries crisis. The policies to curb this situation are dependent on the
wellbeing of fishers in terms of material condition, quality of life, and
transformative strategies for sustainable livelihoods. This paper employs
survey data to investigate the wellbeing of fishers, using descriptives,
principal-component analysis, and structural equation modelling. The
results revealed that the summative effect of material condition and quality
of life, and sustainability on fishers’ wellbeing is low. Despite the low
ranking of income (lower among men fishers than women fishers)
processors), basic necessities, and government support, fishers are still
motivated to work but claim that their children may one day be locked
out of the industry. This paper addresses the gap in the literature by
establishing the need to enhance educational facilities for the children
of fishers, while complementing with investments that create job
opportunities in the fishing communities. This may eventually reduce
dependence on the sea for sustainable fisheries.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Marine fishers, small scale, wellbeing