EfD Ghana recently convened researchers, fisherfolk, and insurance providers to validate findings from the Fishing for Insurance in Ghana's Small-Scale Fisheries project. Using accessible presentations and local language translation, the workshop helped fisherfolk understand insurance, gave providers insight into community concerns, and created space for discussion of initial research findings.
Lead researcher Kofi Vondolia shared the study’s key insights, highlighting insurance uptake patterns in small-scale fisheries. A clear reluctance to subscribe emerged, with participants citing complex claim processes, bureaucratic hurdles, and challenges accessing benefits as major barriers. The research also emphasized the high-risk nature of fishing compared to farming, yet paradoxically, those most exposed to risk are often the least insured.
Alongside these challenges, the study revealed openness among some respondents to a labor-for-insurance arrangement – an innovative option where fisherfolk could contribute labor to government environmental projects in return for insurance coverage. Together, these findings underscore the urgent need for insurance solutions tailored to the specific needs of small-scale fisheries.
Local-language translation facilitated discussions
Beyond validating the findings, the workshop provided a rare opportunity for direct dialogue between fisherfolk and the State Insurance Company (SIC). Local-language translation enabled participants to freely express their views and concerns, ask questions, and engage meaningfully in the discussions, enriching the dialogue and generating insights that helped advance the research.
SIC representatives, who participated in both the inception and validation workshops, thanked EfD Ghana for the project and the opportunity to engage directly through the research process. They noted that the insights generated were timely and complemented ongoing efforts to design targeted insurance products for fisherfolk. They expressed interest in continued engagement as the research progresses.
Held on December 18, 2024, at the ISSER, the validation session builds on an inception workshop in July 2024, where the researchers introduced the study and facilitated early discussions on sector risks and potential insurance solutions. Several participants attended both sessions, ensuring continuity in engagement.
To learn more about the Fishing for Insurance in Ghana's Small-Scale Fisheries project, click here.
By Vicentia Quartey