Baseline socio-economic studies on 1991 pilot villages: New Galilea and Amanfro

Abstract

Background information of the two pilot villages, New Galilea and Amanfro, chosen for the 1992 Artisanal fish processing course for West Africa was obtained. Poor sanitary conditions, low standards of living and lack of basic amenities were observed. Baseline information was gathered on the indigenous traditional fish processing methods especially, smoking ovens. The study found out that rectangular mud ovens are used for smoking the fish. It was found to have a very small capacity and only one tray of fish could be smoked at a time. The ovens were found to be inefficient. Women were found to be the processors of the fish harvested from the Weija Lake. They smoke the fish or salt them and dry them. They market the fish in surrounding or distant markets. Profits made on fish sales were found to be 100% or more