Bernice has been in the fishing business for over 40 years, supplying fresh and processed fish and other seafood. She learned her trade from her mother and grandmother who would purchase and process produce from fishermen. They would smoke, dry, or salt it before sale. 

When Bernice took over the family business, she wanted to expand. Realizing that fishermen made a significant profit from their catch, she bought a canoe and fishing gear.

“Now I facilitate fishing expeditions. When the fishermen return from sea, I own the catch. We sell some and I process the rest before sale” she explains.

As the business steadily grew, Bernice saw more opportunities to grow her client base. She wanted to reach seafood lovers across the country through supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels, but she didn’t know where to start. When she heard that the USAID-supported Feed The Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity would train fisherfolk on how to improve the quality of their produce to meet regulatory standards and access larger markets, she enrolled to participate.

Through the activity, Bernice and other fishing industry operators learned about safe fish processing techniques, including how to build environmentally friendly stoves for smoking, how to dry shrimp and other seafood in hygienic conditions, and how to ensure the processing and preservation of fish was free from harmful toxins.

“With my certification, I am now recognized by numerous hospitality establishments in the capital, Accra, and other parts of the country because they can trust the fish we supply to them. I also participate in the National Fish Festivals,” she exclaims.

Today, Bernice sells fresh and processed seafood to customers near and far. Her products are weighed, packaged and labeled in compliance with best practice, and stamped with a Ghana Standards Authority symbol of quality.

This expansion has allowed her to hire and train six new staff members. She has also started training other fish processors, through the Safe Fish Certification programme, on how to establish processing facilities that meet safety standards. Bernice and her Madam Fish Company have received widespread recognition—she has received awards on three separate occasions during the Regional Farmers’ Day Celebration.

“With my certification, I am now recognized by numerous hospitality establishments in the capital, Accra, and other parts of the country because they can trust the fish we supply to them. I also participate in the National Fish Festivals,”