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Gonad development in the freshwater oyster Etheria elliptica from the White Volta River at Nawuni and the Oti River at Sabari (northern Ghana) was studied by histological examination from March to July 1999. Five developmental stages -developing, ripening, ripened, spawning and spent -were encountered in both populations. The dominant stages were ripening and spawning, whereas spent gonads were rare. Males and females were nearly equally represented in the White Volta River stock, but the Oti River stock had more females than males. Hermaphrodites were encountered occasionally in both populations. By the end of the dry season (March-April), gonad development in both populations had progressed to the ripening stage, suggesting that they began active differentiation much earlier. From May through June, when the rains began and intensified, spawning had begun and was progressing. It was not possible to establish the limits of the breeding season because sampling was limited to only part of the year.

Professional fishing and fisheries quota systems can affect women and men differently, yet gender analysis of quota systems is rare. In this article, we use a feminist framing and a mixed methods approach to examine the long-term gendered effects of the introduction of the 1990 quota system in Norway. Using statistics from the National Fishery Registry and the Directorate of Fisheries, we found that the number of women and men registered as fishers has declined since 1990 (an overall decline of 59%). Over this period, men have consistently outnumbered women among registered fishers (2.7-3.2% women), among boat owners (2.23% women in 2017) and particularly among owners of larger boats (> 11 m), which can have multiple quotas (0.35% women in 2017). However, changes in the age and geographic location among women fishers reflect changes to fisheries overall, as well as highlighting the gender-blind entry barriers that disproportionately impact women. In addition, contextualising statistical data with participant interviews conducted in North Norway, especially in Finnmark, enables us to examine more closely why the gender gap remains. This mixed method approach also identifies changes women and men working in fisheries have undergone, while also addressing women fishers' political efforts to improve gender equity in Norwegian fisheries. Our study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of Norwegian coastal fishing, and particularly women's small but significant presence.

Ghana's fisheries sector comprises 485 fish species. The fish industry contributes to the nation's economy annually representing 4.5 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and twelve (12) % contributions to agriculture. There are several fish processing methods in Ghana such as smoking, salting, frying, sun-drying, freezing, and fermentation. Smoking is one of the common ways of preserving fish in large quantities. Wet hot smoking and dry hot smoking are the two forms of fish smoking which consist of three stages of smoking fish namely; cooking stage, drying stage and smoking stage. Predominately, the fish smoking industry is mainly dominated by women and young girls. Fish processing activities are done around and along the coastal waters and river banks. The technologies used in fish smoking in Ghana are improved types of conventional fish smoking ovens, chorkor smokers, oil drums and acceptance of upgraded smoking techniques. Usually, the fish species smoked are catfish, herring, mackerel, anchovy, and tuna. The smoked fish are stored in empty baskets line with brown papers and as well covered with brown papers. Women involved engaged in fish smoking face some challenges such as lack of formal education, unavailability of credits, low capital and prone to respiratory diseases. Also, the smoked fish are prone to microbial hazards and insect pest infestation. Moisture, food nutrient, pH and temperature affect growth in microorganisms in food (smoked fish). Fish smoking plays a vital role in poverty alleviation as women, and young girls depend on fisheries directly and indirectly for their livelihoods. Significantly, fish smoking reduce post-harvest losses. Also, few interventions have shown that fish smoking in Ghana has potential in improving the fisheries sector although there is limited summarized information regarding fish smoking in Ghana. The purpose of this review is to compile relevant information about the nature of fish smoking industry in Ghana.

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Abstract Sachet water is one of the primary sources of drinking water in rapidly growing countries. A study to assess the microbiological quality of sachet water in 21 different brands was conducted in Ghana. Culturable total coliform was positive in 87% of the samples collected, where Escherichia coli colonies were absent. The analysis of quantitative polymerase chain reaction results indicated the presence of E. coli genes in 44.6% of the samples, with the highest concentration up to 3,166 CCE/100 ml. Microbial source tracking analyses showed that the source of E. coli genes did not originate from sewage contamination because the human-associated HF183 marker was not detected. Of the 175 samples tested, 71% did not mention any water treatment before filling the packages. These results suggest non-human sources of contamination, such as biofilm formation in the pipelines used to fill these packages due to poor disinfection. Our study shows an urgent need for increased regulation and standardized manufacturing of sachet water to ensure safe drinking water.

In 2018, Ghana’s fisheries contributed 1.1% to Gross Domestic Product and provided livelihood support to 2.4 million people. It is crucial for Ghana to build a compelling policy model and to safeguard its precious marine resources. For such an objective to be achieved researchers, the state and other stakeholders must particularly reflect on fisheries policies and outcome. Considering how weak and unstable institutions are in Ghana, this article seeks to analyse this acts and policies enacted by various governments in Ghana, concerning its transformation and execution. This research as well analysis the influence of these policies on the accessibility of marine resources in Ghana and transformed habit and livelihood of fishermen. We gathered even though certain policy guidelines were successful, the entire policy arrangement continues to be a pressing need of improvement because, the fisheries sector was undergoing a decreasing trend as a result illegal and over fishing. We further, discovered that motorization of canoes impacted positively to volume of fish captured and expansion of fishing areas. Nevertheless, the indication of decreasing in volumes of landings observed through the 1980s, alerted the government to consider the importance of exact procedures and regulations in other the safeguard and restore the marine ecosystem and it resources. We proffered a style of policy blueprint founded on stakeholder theory that act on challenges of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Where all stakeholders in the sector must take part in the process of decision making.