Fish farmers in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region have been educated on the responsible use of antibiotics in fish farming to mitigate the adverse impact on consumers.
As part of this effort, a results feedback workshop was held on March 24, 2025, focusing on antibiotic use in fish farming in Stratum II of the Volta Lake. The workshop was organized by the University for Development Studies (UDS) team under the AQUAHEM project, titled Capacity Building in Aquatic Animal and Environmental Health in West Africa.
The event, held in the conference hall of the Asuogyaman District, aimed to inform fish farmers about the findings of an ongoing study on antibiotic use in fish farming. The study, which collected data from fish farmers on the Volta Lake, also sought to discuss emerging issues and possible solutions.
The AQUAHEM project (2021–2026) focuses on the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems across three thematic areas: fish health, food safety, and environmental sustainability in West Africa. The project is run by a consortium of universities, including the University for Development Studies (UDS), the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the University of Ghana (UG), the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), and the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI), with financial support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).
In his welcome address, Dr. Emmanuel Delwin Abarike, the AQUAHEM team leader from UDS and principal supervisor of the study, emphasized the project’s commitment to promoting sustainable aquaculture. He stressed the need for farmers to adopt responsible fish health management practices and highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers, regulatory bodies, and fish farmers to address challenges posed by antibiotic use.
Samuel Opoku Dandi, a PhD candidate from UDS who conducted the research, shared his findings on the use of antibiotics by fish farmers operating in the Akosombo-Kpong-Asutuare section of the Volta Lake. The study, which involved 91 fish farmers from different sections of the lake (upstream, midstream, and downstream), examined antibiotic usage in their operations.
Following a presentation of the findings by the PhD candidate, Dr. Seth Mensah Abobi, an AQUAHEM team member from UDS and co-supervisor of the study, facilitated an open forum session. This session provided an opportunity for fish farmers and stakeholders to discuss their concerns and offer recommendations.
Participants raised several issues, including the lack of access to expert guidance on fish health, the quality of fish feed, and the need for stronger regulatory oversight. The forum also allowed farmers to share their experiences, ask questions, and receive expert advice on alternative methods for managing fish diseases.
Beyond its core objective of equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to address health challenges in aquaculture, the AQUAHEM project also provides comprehensive training in all aspects of aquatic animal health. It aims to improve the health and well-being of aquatic animals, enhance the sustainability of the aquaculture industry, and contribute to food security.
Explaining the motivation behind the project, Professor Samuel Addo told journalists, “For over a decade, the major challenge confronting the aquaculture industry has been the prevalence of fish diseases.”
While bacterial diseases in aquatic life are often treated with antibiotics, Professor Addo cautioned that this approach has side effects on fish, the environment, and consumers.
Although the research did not find alarming levels of antibiotic residues in fish, he urged fish farmers to adhere to regulations governing antibiotic use.
Researcher Samuel Opoku Dandi explained that the Volta Lake was chosen as the study location because of its significance as a major fish source. His findings indicated that while fish farmers frequently relied on antibiotics to control diseases, boost immunity, and serve as food supplements, the traces found in fish were not at dangerous levels.
“Disease management is a major challenge in aquaculture, and we wanted to examine the impact of antibiotics on our main water bodies, especially the Volta Lake, which supplies a significant portion of the fish we consume,” he said. “We found traces of antibiotics in both fish and sediments.”
He identified the cost of fish feed and disease outbreaks as major challenges facing fish farmers and suggested that stakeholders collaborate to explore alternative solutions for managing fish health and increasing biosecurity awareness.
The findings, he added, provide foundational data that authorities and stakeholders can use to address the issue.
The Center Manager for the Asuogyaman Fisheries Commission, Mr. Patrick Apenteng, praised the choice of Asuogyaman for the project, recognizing the district as a major fish production hub. He expressed optimism about the project’s impact on fish farmers.
Wise Kudaje, a fish farmer from Akuse and a participant in the workshop, expressed satisfaction with the benefits of the AQUAHEM project, stating that it had enhanced their knowledge in the field.
However, he lamented the increasing prevalence of fish diseases, attributing it to the activities of “foreign fishers” who, he claimed, were polluting the water body with chemicals.
