The Head General of Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, has officially announced the country’s readiness to host the 15th Ministerial Conference of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) in Monrovia from December 11-13, 2024.
During a simulcast on State Radio ELBC and several local stations on December 2, 2024, Madam Glassco stated that the Liberian Fisheries Authority is currently following clear instructions from President Joseph Boakai’s office to prepare for a successful international fisheries conference in Monrovia.
“During the conference, Liberia will host several international fisheries delegates, including the Fisheries Ministers from Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria, along with their technical teams,” said Madam Glassco.
Additionally, she mentioned that other expected attendees at the three-day international conference include Heads of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, international fisheries-related institutions, and international observers.
The conference will feature two days of technical working sessions at the Mamba Point Hotel in Monrovia on December 11-12, 2024, followed by a concluding session at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town on the final day. Madam Glassco emphasized that this conference marks a historic occasion for the Liberian fisheries sector, as Liberia will assume the Chairmanship position from Ghana, becoming the main driver of fisheries policies and good governance in the subregion.
Moreover, Madam Glassco noted that a significant outcome of the conference will be the “Monrovia Declaration,” which honors the host country.
“As part of the Monrovia Declaration, member states will conduct joint fisheries patrols and implement a joint closed fisheries season,” she added.
In her remarks during the media engagement, the Director General of the Liberian Fisheries Authority expressed pride in hosting this important International Fisheries Conference, which has the potential to open up investment opportunities for the fisheries sector.
The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) is a regional organization consisting of six West African countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo. Established in 2007, the FCWC aims to facilitate cooperation in fisheries management among its member countries, which share several fish stocks and recognize the need for collaborative management strategies.
