Post-Harvest Travels of Marine Fish: How Small Fish Food Systems Variously Support Food Security and Nutrition in Coastal and Inland Cities in Ghana

This paper enquires into the travels of low-cost varieties of marine fish in the context of Ghana, distinguishing flows that move toward coastal cities versus those destined for distant, inland cities. It derives data from field research on the Ghanaian small fish food system through surveys, FGDs and interviews conducted in Accra and Tamale. It is argued that although both coastal and inland cities partake in small fish food systems, they experience different flow patterns and FSN outcomes. These are partly related to the fact that Ghana relies on the confluence of local and imported sources for the delivery of low-cost fish varieties to the population, especially in urban regions where such demand is high. We recommend that policies should focus on investing in infrastructure, especially transport and distribution systems linking cities to fishing communities, to enhance low-cost fish distribution and improve FSN outcomes for low-income urban consumers in Ghana.