Aquaculture developmental plans represent a nation's determination for self-reliance on domestic fish production through resilient aquaculture. This study reviewed the 2012 Ghana National Aquaculture Development Plan (GNADP) and sought inputs from industry stakeholders to inform GNADP 2023 using the ecosystem approach to aquaculture (EAA). In furtherance of this, we also investigated the justifications for antibiotic treatments including the assessment of the sector that is supposed to regulate aquaculture growth. The findings suggest that GNADP 2023 must be strategized to address industry sustainability bottlenecks identified as input availability and quality, permitting, regulation and enforcement, financing schemes and technical expertise. In terms of technical expertise, the inclusion of women in aquaculture can diversify the skill sets for the improvement of capacity and competence in good aquaculture practices and fish health management. Sector partnerships can aid in leveraging the expertise and resources among sectors to address persistent industry issues. The justifications for antibiotic treatments are disease management, prophylactics, antibiotic availability, application, and effectiveness, capacity and competence, including regulation and enforcement. This also comprised the sense of ownership and responsibility as farmers feel they must safeguard their investment. It is therefore important for farmers to pursue preventative aquaculture biosecurity measures. The government sector was selected predominantly to regulate aquaculture growth. We however recommended a participatory approach as this could facilitate peer regulation to enhance the regulation and enforcement of aquaculture regulations. The findings in this study are worth considering as it pioneers the adoption of the EAA framework for aquaculture developmental planning in Ghana. This study reflected on the 2012 Ghana National Aquaculture Development Plan (GNADP) and sought inputs from relevant industry stakeholders to inform GNADP 2023 using the EAA framework. The GNADP elements were categorized into social, economic, and environmental/ecological factors. We identified industry sustainability bottlenecks namely input availability and quality, permitting, regulation and enforcement, financing schemes, and technical expertise. Inter-sectoral integration can help the various aquaculture institutions to leverage on each other's expertise and resources to address the persistent industry issues for sustainable aquaculture growth. While the study documented the justifications for antibiotic treatments, we strongly recommend pursuing preventative measures such as biosecurity in lieu of waiting until there are disease outbreaks. This study offers recommendations for GNADP 2023, as it also emphasizes holistic and collaborative approaches for sustainable aquaculture growth in Ghana.image
