Exploring aquaponics for youth employment: An experience from Ghana

Abstract Over the past few decades, scientists have discovered Aquaponics as an innovative method for growing food that may hold the key to efficiently and sustainably feeding the world's population and serving as a job avenue for young graduates. Although many studies have shown aquaponic food production to be technically feasible, there are relatively few studies in Ghana concerning its economic feasibility. A pilot experiment was implemented, and observations and surveys were carried out to obtain views from stakeholders from 2017–2023 in the University of Ghana. The aquaponic system was composed of a plastic pond (for growing tilapia/catfish species), connecting pipes, aerators, polytanks and soiless media for growing lettuce. We studied the financial impact of the nexus between tilapia and lettuce aquaponics, and the institutional support system. Aquaponics is profitable, the production rate can be high - three cycles a year for the tilapia, and harvesting lettuce every five weeks. Yet, the initial financial costs is high, the engineering experts to install the system to run efficiently and the extension officers to provide technical information consistently at the local level are lacking. The implications of the findings are that the interest of young people who are the target, may be lost; finding the investment capital to take advantage of an otherwise profitable venture should go hand-in-hand with available experts in installation and technical information provision. There are national level governmental and private institutions that are ready to support enterprises in aquaponics to work; they should be motivated to engage and provide the local support efficiently.