Smoking fish, a key processing method in West Africa, sustains thousands of small-scale fishmongers and is often conducted using traditional ovens. These ovens emit harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), leading to health risks including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. These traditional methods also exacerbate ecological challenges, such as mangrove depletion due to reliance on firewood. These health and ecological challenges provide fodder for making improved fish-smoking technology (IFST) critical for sustainable fisheries. Dr. Denis Worlanyo Aheto et al. investigates the adoption of the Ahotor oven, an IFST, among small-scale fisheries in Ghana, focusing on behavioral drivers and barriers. Using the revised Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), the authors surveyed fishmongers from coastal communities and highlighted:
- Drivers of Adoption: Behavioral intention to adopt the Ahotor oven is influenced by factors like social influence, effort expectancy (ease of use), facilitating conditions (resources and support), habits, hedonic motivation (enjoyment), and performance expectancy (perceived benefits).
- Social Influence: A critical factor but also a double-edged sword—while it encourages adoption, strong social norms can dampen the effect of positive habits.
- Policy Recommendations: Addressing behavioral, cultural, and infrastructural barriers is essential. Interventions should include education, technical support, and strategies to align the oven’s benefits with the practical needs of fishmongers.
The authors emphasize the need for regionally tailored approaches to overcome barriers, such as limited resources and entrenched habits, while leveraging Ghana’s fisheries sector for sustainability. Thereby, positioning Ghana towards a more sustainable fishing industry that reduces post-harvest losses, improves livelihoods, and ensures safer food processing in coastal communities.
Dr. Aheto is a part of the Coasts Global Research Network of Future Earth. His research focuses on coastal/marine ecosystem conservation, small-scale fisheries, marine spatial planning, wetlands ecology, and marine conflict issues. Professor of Coastal Ecology and Interdisciplinary Oceans Studies and Director of the Centre for Coastal Management – The Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) at the University of Cape Coast. As of January 1, 2025, Dr. Aheto will also serve as the Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Cape Coast.Â
Salifu I, Aheto DW, Vondolia GK. (2024). Unraveling the Drivers of the Adoption of Improved Fish Smoking Technology Among Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of the Ahotor Oven in Ghana. Food and Humanity. 2:100266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2024.100266.
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