Accra, April 13, GNA - The Food and Agriculture Organization on Wednesday said it has alternative programmes and facilities that would benefit Ghana's fisheries industry and move it forward. Mr. Oloche A. Edache, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa said the organization had training programmes for staff of the Ministry, fishermen and alternative skills training for the youth along the coast.

Mr Edache made this known when he held talks with Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries in Accra.

He said there was the need for farmers to go into aquaculture (growing of fish in lakes, rivers and ponds) as a back-up stock to the country increasing population.

He called for a proposal from the ministry for the necessary actions to be taken.

Mrs. Asmah said the meeting was a step in the right direction, saying it had come at a time when the ministry was seriously looking out for support from donors and organization in the areas mentioned by the FAO. She noted that with the ever-growing population, aquaculture definitely had a potential to help, adding that the meeting had come at an opportune time.