Photo: Boakai M.Fofana

Fishing is a major source of livelyhood in WestAfrica.

Thirty-six Liberian women fishmongers and processors from the nine coastal regions of Liberia underwent a weeklong training in fish preservation, hygienic control and management skill along the supply chain and market value, designed to improve the quality of fish sold on the market, and to strengthen the business activities of small scale fish processors and vendors.

The training was organized by the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Fish II project, funded by the European Union (EU); while the Bureau of National Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture, is also supporting the development of training capacity for female fish vendors and processors in Liberia. The ACP Fish II Project training was conducted by a fish technologist Dr. Ian Goulding of the ACP Fish II Project, and Mrs. Esther Paegar, a consultant at the Agency for Economic Development and Empowerment (AEDE).

Carlos Battagum, European Union Natural Resource Programme Manager, speaking at the workshop said the European Union is willing to empower small scale fish vendors and processors to develop knowledge and skills regarding the technical condition for the production and marketing of good quality and safe fishery products, as well as the management of small enterprises.

Meanwhile, Ms. Yanga Tokpa, Officer-in Charge at the Bureau of National Fisheries, thanked the EU for funding the weeklong workshop. She said the training has taken Liberian women in the fishing industry to another level by enabling them to manage their income.

Finally, Deputy Agriculture Minister for Technical Service, Dr. Sizi Subah described the training as an added advantage to Liberian women who play major roles in the fishing industry. Dr. Subah reminded the recipients that no knowledge acquired is wasted; by this he said fishmongers now know the condition under which their products will be preserved for a greater value chain on the market. Participants were certificated following the close of the workshop by Mrs. Marthaline Dagoseh, Gender and Development Deputy Minister for Planning and Development.