Climate change and its effects on West African youth involvement in artisanal fishing

The study examines the effects of climate change on artisanal fishing within West Africa (Ghana). It examines the influence of climate change on the socio-economic livelihoods of the youth involved in artisanal fishing and assesses the effectiveness of the measures employed by Ghana’s government and NGOs to mitigate the effects of climate change. The global agenda under the UN SDGs 13/14 provided the conceptual framework of analysis. Theoretically, the human security strand of environmental security was used. The study utilizes a qualitative research design to seek the views of Ghanaian youth in artisanal fishing. The study found that climate change presents myriad challenges to artisanal fishermen, including low fish catch, revenue loss, food insecurity, and death. It found that state and non-state actors have put measures such as sensitization activities, assisting with access to loans, giving out fishnets, and fuel subsidies. Despite such measures, the fishermen perceived those measures to be ineffective due to inadequate information flow and inconsistency of the measures or interventions. The study thereby recommends that the Ministry of Communication, the Fisheries Commission, and the NGOs in the sector should organize more educational activities to educate more young fishermen on the effects of climate change on artisanal fishing. Also, it recommends the need to teach the youth fish farming, which may help to have fish for the whole year.