The Economic Mobility and Protection of Women, Youth and Ecosystems for Resilient Fisheries (EMPoWER)

(EMPoWER) The project is a multi-year initiative being implemented by CEWEFIA in partnership with Hen Mpoano, with funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Accra. The project runs from January 2026 to December 2028 and aims to strengthen the economic resilience, social protection, and environmental sustainability of artisanal fishing communities in Ghana.

EMPoWER focuses on improving the livelihoods of women and youth along the fisheries value chain by promoting safe fish handling and processing, enhancing food safety and nutrition, expanding access to finance through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), and supporting entrepreneurship and alternative livelihood opportunities. The project also prioritizes the construction and use of Ahotor ovens, certification under the Safe Fish and Clean Landing Site (SFCLS) system, and community awareness on the benefits of certified fish for household health and nutrition.

A major component of the project is women’s economic empowerment. EMPoWER supports financial literacy training, business development skills, access to credit, and market linkages while strengthening women’s leadership in addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing through participatory research and national advocacy dialogues. It further integrates strong social protection measures, including sensitization on gender-based violence (GBV), child labour and trafficking, discrimination, and unsafe migration.

The project also promotes environmental sustainability and digital innovation by supporting digital IUU reporting systems, strengthening cooperative management structures, and improving efficiency in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture through technology-driven solutions. Media campaigns, radio discussions, fish fairs, and community sensitization activities are used to increase public awareness and influence positive behaviour change.

Through EMPoWER, CEWEFIA is contributing to the creation of economically empowered, socially protected, and environmentally responsible coastal communities, where women and youth are equipped with the skills, resources, and voice needed to drive sustainable fisheries development and long-term community resilience.