BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County — Hundreds of fishermen and fishmongers in Buchanan received an Independence season boost on Friday as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai visited NaFAA’s Fish Market Day, purchasing seafood from every vendor and reaffirming his administration’s support for Liberia’s fisheries sector.
The event, organised by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), transformed the Buchanan Fairground into a vibrant marketplace where artisanal fishermen and fishmongers displayed freshly harvested shrimp, lobster, crab, tilapia, catfish and other seafood from Liberia’s rivers and coastal waters.
For many vendors, the President’s visit represented more than a symbolic gesture. It translated into increased sales, greater public recognition and renewed confidence in a sector that supports thousands of Liberian families.
NaFAA Director General Cyrus Saygbe toured the market ahead of the President’s arrival, interacting with vendors and encouraging participants as anticipation built across the fairground.
President Boakai later visited every stall, speaking with fishmongers and purchasing seafood from each of them. He praised NaFAA for extending the Fish Market Day initiative beyond Monrovia, describing the move as an important step toward ensuring that fishing communities across Liberia benefit from expanded market opportunities.
According to Saygbe, the President has consistently demonstrated support for the fisheries sector, including the reduction of licensing fees for artisanal and industrial fishing vessels aimed at easing the burden on operators and promoting productivity.
NaFAA said Fish Market Day was established to connect local fish producers directly with consumers, eliminate marketing barriers, strengthen domestic seafood trade and improve the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen and women involved in fish processing and marketing.
The programme also attracted Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Commerce Minister Magdalene Dagoseh, Ambassador-at-Large for Tourism Christopher Onanuga, county officials and development partners, reflecting growing government interest in developing Liberia’s blue economy.
As the market closed, vendors described the initiative as one of the most successful promotional events held in Buchanan, citing strong sales and direct engagement with senior government officials. They urged NaFAA to make Fish Market Day a recurring event in Grand Bassa County, saying the programme has become an important platform for expanding markets and improving incomes for fishing communities.
