Edmond Moukala is the UNESCO Representative in Ghana
The UNESCO Representative in Ghana, Edmond Moukala, has urged Ghana to urgently adopt an integrated approach to tackle the disturbing realities uncovered in GhanaWeb’s 'Sex for Fish' documentary.
The investigative production revealed how women in coastal fishing communities, particularly in the town of Ntsin in the Central Region, are coerced into transactional sex to access fish and sustain their families.
Moukala made the call at a high-level roundtable in Accra on September 16, 2025, under the theme “Gender, Climate Change and Economic Vulnerability.”
The meeting, organised in direct response to GhanaWeb’s exposé, brought national attention to a longstanding but often hidden practice in the fisheries sector.
He explained that climate change, economic hardship, and entrenched gender inequalities are fueling the crisis. Rising sea levels, depleted fish stocks, and unpredictable weather patterns have destabilised traditional livelihoods in coastal Ghana, leaving women and girls particularly vulnerable.
GhanaWeb's 'Sex for Fish' documentary earns UNESCO spotlight
“Climate change has altered fish migration patterns and reduced catches, creating immense instability for fishing communities. In such conditions, women and girls, who are already burdened with household responsibilities and fish processing, are the most exposed,” he said. “No girl or woman should ever be forced to trade her dignity for survival.”
Moukala emphasised that addressing the problem requires a holistic and integrated strategy, one that prioritises climate adaptation, strengthens social protection, diversifies local economies, and empowers women and girls with education, skills training, and access to finance.
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He cautioned against “siloed approaches” and urged stakeholders to work collaboratively to restore dignity and resilience in fishing communities.
The roundtable, held at the Best Western Premier Hotel, brought together key stakeholders from academia, including the Department of Public Health at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, and the Department of Fisheries and Climate Change at the University of Cape Coast, alongside representatives from UN Women, youth organisations, the Gamashie Development Authority, and other development partners.
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Contributions from participants highlighted several key priorities:
• Promoting sustainable and climate-resilient fishing practices and aquaculture.
• Creating alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on increasingly unpredictable fish stocks.
• Reforming fisheries and gender-related policies to strengthen accountability and protection for vulnerable groups.
• Enhancing community dialogue and engagement to ensure local ownership of solutions.
Civil society groups and youth representatives pledged to collaborate in raising awareness and protecting women and girls in coastal communities.
UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and sustainable development, describing the roundtable as “a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and renewed dedication to building a future where coastal communities can thrive in dignity, security, and equality.”
The meeting is widely viewed as a turning point in shaping coordinated action following GhanaWeb’s exposé, which has drawn global attention to the plight of women in Ghana’s fishing industry.
Watch the full documentary below:
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