The co-management of fisheries is proving to be a successful collaboration between several stakeholders for the conservation and wise use of fisheries resources in several countries. Since the early 2000s, researchers from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and NGOs in Ghana have collaborated to design and implement co-management targeted at specific fisheries in some coastal communities in Ghana.

The latest of the efforts from UCC fisheries scientists on fisheries co-management is the formation of the Narkwa Oyster Harvesters Association (NOHA) in the Ekumfi Narkwa community in the Central Region of Ghana. NOHA was formed as part of the activities of the Women Shellfishers and Food Security (WSFS) Project.

The oyster association, which is constituted mainly of women, hopes to champion the sustainable utilisation of oysters and other bivalve food resources in the Narkwa Lagoon. The Narkwa Lagoon is one of the most significant brackish water systems along the coast of Ghana, which houses several marine species, notably mangrove oysters and bloody cockles.

The formation of the association comes after a series of initial engagements with the traditional/political leaders and shellfishers and a situational assessment of shellfishery stakeholders at Ekumfi Narkwa. The situational report highlighted over a hundred people were engaged in various forms of shellfishing in the Narkwa Lagoon, many of whom exploit the resource for subsistence during the lean or closed seasons for marine fish.

Eligibility criteria for membership into the association were therefore set to include those who only depend on Shellfishing as a livelihood. The association was formed with an initial membership of 35, mainly constituted of resource users, predominated by women who depend only on shellfishing as a livelihood.

Considering Fante is the dominant language of Narkwa, NOHA has been dubbed into the Fante language as “Narkwa Adentse Kuw” with a slogan, “Yen Adentse, Yen daakye''. To wit, “Our oysters, Our future”.

Three members were appointed to occupy interim leadership positions of President in person (Madam Adjoa Kyeaba), Organiser (Madam Ama Gyasiwah), and Secretary (Mr. Emmanuel Mensah). In consultation with their members, the newly appointed leaders agreed on every other Tuesday in a month as their meeting days.

The WSFS Project at UCC is assisting the association with developing a draft constitution and with processes for registration with the Ekumfi District Assembly initiated.

In the long-term, NOHA envisions providing a unified front towards implementing a shellfishery co-management in the Narkwa Lagoon and its catchment.