We’re excited to announce the launch of the GA East Women in Aquaculture (GEWA) Project, a bold new initiative by Sustainable Development Alliance (SusDA) in partnership with the KGL Foundation. This project is a direct response to the growing need to economically empower young women in underserved urban communities within the Ga East Municipality of Greater Accra. With funding from the KGL Foundation, the GEWA Project seeks to address challenges such as unemployment, gender inequality, and limited access to sustainable livelihoods—while equipping women with hands-on skills in fish farming, processing, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
The journey began with a community entry visit to local authorities and traditional leaders. The SusDA team formally briefed the Ga East Municipal Assembly, followed by a courtesy call on the Mantse (chief) and elders of Driverga. Community leaders warmly welcomed the project, expressing their strong belief in its potential to improve the lives of women and their families. One elder shared, “We are happy that this project has come for these women. It will go a long way to empower them economically and help reduce the advent of gender-based violence and inequality. This fish farming will provide a source of livelihood.”
Shortly after, SusDA convened a consultative meeting with selected women from local Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) at the Abokobi Women’s Development Centre. The gathering served as a platform to introduce beneficiaries to the project’s components and objectives. Madam Felicia Sosu opened the session by sharing the purpose of the meeting, and Harriet Asante, SusDA’s Deputy Executive Director, provided an overview of the project’s vision and expected impact. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) from Wontesty Ventures, our technical partner. The RAS model is a sustainable and innovative fish farming technique that aligns with SusDA’s goal of introducing climate-smart, economically viable livelihoods.
The consultative meeting sparked meaningful conversations. Participants asked questions, shared aspirations, and reflected on the opportunity ahead. One woman expressed her excitement by saying, “I see this as a real opportunity to become financially independent and support my family.” These engagements deepened community ownership and reaffirmed that the project was rooted in the needs and hopes of the women it seeks to serve.
Building on this momentum, the project reached a key milestone with the successful selection of a site in Driverga, Abokobi, for the installation of the RAS fish pond. With technical input from Wontesty and support from community stakeholders, the location was chosen for its access to water, electricity, and the capacity to house 1,000 fingerlings. Preparations have already begun, with land leveling underway to set up the tarpaulin tank that will form the core of the aquaculture system.
As the GEWA Project unfolds, SusDA is proud to work alongside determined young women, committed community leaders, and visionary partners like the KGL Foundation to transform lives through sustainable aquaculture. This project is not just about fish farming—it’s about building a pathway to dignity, independence, and resilience for women who deserve every opportunity to thrive.
Stay tuned as we bring this vision to life.
