Occupational accidents among fisherfolks in the Western Region of Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Fisherfolk working in coastal communities face several occupational hazards, such as poor safety infrastructure and exposure to environmental pollutants. These conditions are often worsened in regions near oil and gas operations. Despite the high-risk nature of their work, there is limited research, particularly in Ghana, on the specific health and safety challenges these fishermen encounter. This study assessed occupational accidents among fisherfolks in some selected communities around the oil and gas production areas in the Ahanta West District of Ghana.

Methods

We adopted a cross-sectional study design, and a structured questionnaire was administered to 220 fishermen who were selected using a simple random sampling method. Descriptive statistics were used to report the frequency of fishing activity, safety practices, natural hazards, the prevalence of occupational accidents, as well as the perceived health threats associated with nearby oil and gas operations. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess associations between sociodemographic factors and the prevalence of occupational accidents.

Results

Most respondents fished more than ten times monthly and typically spent a day at sea per trip. Many respondents perceived seaweed blooms as a major threat to both their canoes and personal health. The prevalence of occupational accidents was high, with falls, cuts, and fish spine piercings commonly reported. A one-year increase in age was associated with 7% greater odds of having an occupational accident (AOR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01–1.14).

Conclusion

The study highlights a high prevalence of occupational accidents among fishermen in the Ahanta West District, driven by inadequate safety practices and environmental challenges. Targeted interventions, including safety training, provision of protective gear, and policy support, are essential to improving occupational health and safety in these coastal communities.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-24168-z.

Introduction

Fishing is widely regarded as a hazardous occupation [1] due to environmental risks. Artisanal fishers, especially in developing countries, face dangers such as harsh weather conditions, capsized or overloaded boats, and traumatic injuries like cuts, piercings, and falls [2]. Limited access to safety equipment, such as life jackets and first aid kits, increases their vulnerability [3, 4]. In addition to physical hazards, fishers are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders, hearing loss, psychological stress, and sleep disturbances [5–7]. These occupational risks contribute to approximately 3 million deaths annually, particularly in regions with outdated fishing practices [8].

Ghana’s fishing industry comprises three subsectors: artisanal, semi-industrial, and industrial [9]. Artisanal fishing, using dugout canoes, often motorized, is the most dominant, while the semi-industrial and industrial sectors operate trawlers and large steel-hulled vessels [10]. Ghana has around 12,000 artisanal canoes, 150 semi-industrial vessels, and 84 licensed industrial trawlers operating along the coast [11]. Many fishers lack formal training and operate with minimal safety oversight, placing them at high risk of occupational injury. Meanwhile, the discovery and expansion of offshore oil reserves have significantly boosted Ghana’s economy. By 2023, the sector was projected to contribute over 10 billion GHS to national revenue [12–15]. However, the rapid expansion of offshore oil activities has brought new challenges to coastal fishing communities, including restricted access to traditional fishing grounds, oil spills, and conflicts with naval patrols protecting oil rigs.

Globally, the fishing and oil industries often coexist in tension [16]. Risks for fishers operating near oil installations include vessel collisions, gear damage, and pollution [17]. Additional reported challenges include increased no-fishing zones, artificial light from rigs, reduced catch, and harmful algal blooms (HABs) [18, 19]. Evidence suggests that oil and gas industry activities can contribute to HABs by altering marine ecosystems and nutrient dynamics. For example, oil spills and chemical dispersants can interfere with predator-prey relationships in planktonic food webs and indirectly promote the growth of potentially harmful dinoflagellate blooms [20]. These blooms can produce toxins that pose significant threats, especially to aquatic life [21]. Fishers also face life-threatening hazards such as rough seas, extreme weather, equipment failure, noise, vibration, and exposure to chemical agents, all of which can adversely affect their health [22, 23]. Oil and gas activities are associated with environmental hazards such as oil spills, gas flaring, and the use of chemical dispersants, all of which can release toxic substances, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals. Fishermen operating in affected areas may be exposed to these contaminants, increasing the risk of respiratory issues, skin irritations, headaches, and long-term health problems such as cancer and organ damage [24, 25].

In Ghana, limited research has examined the intersection of offshore oil activities and occupational safety in artisanal fishing. Existing studies, such as those by Kyei [26] and Boateng [2] have addressed aspects of fishing industry hazards but failed to explore how oil exploration may exacerbate occupational safety and health risks for fishers. Local fishers frequently report challenges such as seaweed infestations, increased enforcement zones, and perceived health effects when fishing near oil platforms. Most occupational health studies in Ghana have focused on healthcare [27], agriculture [28–30], or oil workers [31], with minimal attention to fishers, particularly those in areas impacted by offshore oil activities.

Given the growing offshore oil fields along Ghana’s western coast and the emerging environmental and occupational concerns among local fisherfolk, there is a need to understand how these dynamics impact artisanal fishing communities. This study fills this gap by investigating occupational accidents among artisanal fishers operating in coastal areas of the Ahanta West District, which hosts active oil and gas extraction sites such as Jubilee, TEN (Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme), and OCTP (Offshore Cape Three Points) [32–34]. Specifically, we aimed to: (i) assess the frequency of fishing activity, safety practices, and natural hazards experienced by artisanal fishers; (ii) determine the prevalence of occupational accidents; (iii) explore perceived threats associated with nearby oil and gas operations; and (iv) examine the association between sociodemographic factors and the risk of experiencing occupational accidents. The findings are intended to inform occupational safety strategies and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.

Methodology

Study design

A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect quantitative data at a single point in time, between September and November 2022.

Profile of study area

Ahanta West District, with its capital in Agona Nkwanta, is located in the southernmost part of the country. According to the 2021 population and housing census, the population of the district stands at 153,140, with 75,219 males and 77,921 females [35]. It is bounded to the East by the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), to the West by the Nzema East Municipal, and to the North by Mpohor Wassa East District and Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal, and the Gulf of Guinea to the South [36].

Fishing is a highly important source of income for communities near the district’s coastline. Two communities, Dixcove and Butre, with high trawling fishing activities, were randomly selected for the study. The Dixcove community is regarded as one of the country’s oldest and most well-known fishing settlements [37]. Butre is a small fishing village located on a sheltered bay by a forest, between the communities of Busua and Asemkaw. The Ahanta West District was selected for the study, given that the district’s coastline is undergoing rapid transformation because of the fast-growing oil and gas extraction activities. The fishers in the district predominantly use wooden dugout canoes, usually crafted from locally sourced hardwoods, for their artisanal fishing activities. Figure 1 is a map of the Ahanta West District showing study communities.

Fig. 1.

Map of Ghana showing the Ahanta West District. Source: Author’s own map

Study population

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

The target population for the study included artisanal fishermen aged 18 years and above, who are native and have been fishing in the study area, and who consented to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria were artisanal fishermen aged less than 18 years and fishermen from other geographical areas. Fishers who do not fish around oil and gas installations (more than 1.0 km away) were also excluded from the study.

Sample size determination and sampling method

This study selected 220 fishermen from Dixcove and Butre. The sample size was determined using Slovin’s formula [38], with an estimated 400 active fishermen operating along the coastline. The minimum required sample size was calculated to be 220 respondents, with a 10% non-response rate to account for non-response or incomplete data. This sample size was considered sufficient for reliable statistical power and representativeness of the larger population of fishermen in the study area.

Where, = Sample size, N = Population size (400 fishermen), and e = Margin of error (0.05). Substituting the variables into the formula, a sample size of 200 was estimated for the study. However, adding a 10% non-response rate resulted in a final sample size of 220.

A simple random sampling method without replacement was used to select respondents for this study. This method gave every potential respondent an equal opportunity to be selected to participate in the study. Specifically, a balloting technique was applied. On each day of data collection, which lasted for about 25 min, the words “Yes” and “No” were written on 40 pieces of paper (20 each for “Yes” and “No”), placed in a paper box, and shuffled. Fishermen who met the inclusion criteria were asked to draw one of the pieces of paper from the box. Only those who drew “Yes” were recruited into the study. This process was repeated until the target sample size of 220 respondents was achieved. In the event of an incomplete interview of a recruited respondent, new recruits were interviewed to replace them.

Data collection techniques and tools

To carry out the above-stated task, a structured questionnaire (Supplementary Information S1) was designed to solicit information from the respondents in the study area. The questionnaire was sectioned into five parts, namely: Demographic information, nature of fishing activities, history of fishing occupation, self-reported occupational hazards and associated risk factors, and perceived intervention strategies to mitigate the risks associated with the occupational hazard(s). The questionnaires were interviewer-administered after the respondents had been thoroughly taken through all the informed consent processes. The interviewers complied with all COVID-19 safety protocols, including the wearing of nose/face masks and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The data collection tool was pretested among 10 fishermen in a nearby district. Information from the pretesting was used to review and adjust the questionnaire before final deployment for the actual data collection.

Data analysis

The study data was entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed in Stata version 15.1 (StataCorp LLC, TX, USA). Descriptive statistics, including mean with standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages, were used to present information on demographic characteristics, fishing activity, safety practices, and natural hazards, the prevalence of occupational accidents, and perceived threats due to oil and gas activities. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess associations between independent variables (age, educational status, marital status, alcohol intake, fishing duration, and spiritual protection) and the prevalence of occupational accidents. The selection of independent variables was informed by evidence from prior research on occupational health and injury risk factors in informal or high-risk sectors, particularly fishing. Adjusted odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant in all analyses. To assess multicollinearity, a Pearson correlation analysis was conducted between age and years of fishing experience, given their conceptual overlap. A strong positive correlation was observed (r = 0.86, P < 0.001), indicating potential multicollinearity. Consequently, only age was retained in the final multivariable regression model to avoid redundancy. However, the bivariate relationship between fishing experience and occupational accidents was analyzed separately.

Results

Demographic characteristics of respondents

A total of 212 respondents out of 220 participated in the study, representing an appreciable response rate of 96.36%. All the respondents in this study were males, and most of them (approximately 67%) were within the 40-year age range, with only 33.02% of the respondents being over 40 years old. The mean age of respondents was 36.55 ± 12.78 years. A little over half (51.41%) had only received primary school education, whilst 43.87% had no formal education. Less than 5% had received a secondary school education. More than two-thirds (69.81%) of the respondents were married. Regarding fishing experience, most of the respondents (42.45%) had 10–20 years of fishing experience. Respondents who had fished for more than 30 years constituted 21.7%. None of the fishermen in this study had received any form of formal training on fishing. Although more than half (64.15%) of the fishermen reported that they drink alcohol, a substantial proportion (94.12%) of them indicated that they do not drink alcohol while fishing (Table 1).

Table 1.

Demographic characteristics of respondents

Variable	Frequency (N = 212)	Percentage (%)
Gender
Male	212	100.00
Female	0	0
Age (in years)
Below 30	71	33.49
30–40	71	33.49
Above 40	70	33.02
Mean ± SD	36.55 ± 12.78
Highest educational attainment
No formal education	93	43.87
Primary school	109	51.41
Secondary school	10	4.72
Tertiary	0	0
Marital status
Single	46	21.70
Married	148	69.81
Divorced	18	8.49
Years of fishing experience
Less than 10	38	17.92
10–20	90	42.45
21–30	38	17.92
Above 30	46	21.70
Formal training on fishing
Yes	0	0
No	212	100.00
Drinks alcohol
Yes	136	64.15
No	76	35.85
Drinks alcohol while fishing (n = 136)
Yes	8	5.88
No	128	94.12

Fishing activity frequency, safety practices, and natural hazards experienced

This section assessed the frequency of fishing activities carried out by respondents in a month and the safety practices as well as natural hazards faced by the respondents. One hundred and four (49.06%) respondents engaged in fishing activities more than 10 times every month, and 88 (41.51%) respondents engaged in fishing between 5 and 10 times per month. In addition, 9.43% of the respondents stated that they go fishing less than 5 times per month. Most of the respondents (51.42%) spent just a day anytime they went fishing while a little over one-third (34.43%) spent two days. Only a few respondents (14.15%) spent more than two days fishing (Table 2). The results of the study further showed that none of the respondents carried along a life jacket or lifebuoy for safety purposes when going on their fishing expeditions. A very low proportion (1.89%) of fishermen carried first aid kits along when going to fish. The vast majority (99.53%) also indicated that there had been times when they overloaded their canoes with too much catch and 38.21% of the respondents indicated they used some form of spiritual protection during fishing. Regarding the kinds of natural hazards experienced while at sea, most of the respondents (99.06%) reported storms as the most predominant natural hazard. Only 16 fishermen (i.e. 8.49%) experienced heavy rains as a natural hazard during fishing (Table 2).

Table 2.

Fishing activity frequency, safety practices, and natural hazards experienced by respondents

Variables	Frequency (N = 212)	Percentage (%)
Frequency of fishing activities per month
Less than 5 times	20	9.43
5–10 times	88	41.51
More than 10 times	104	49.06
Duration of fishing (days)
One	109	51.42
Two	73	34.43
More than Two	30	14.15
Fishing practices*
First Aid (n = 212)	4	1.89
Use of Life Jacket (n = 212)	0	0
Use of Lifebuoy (n = 212)	0	0
Overload of the canoe (n = 212)	211	99.53
Use of spiritual protection (n = 212)	81	38.21
Natural hazards faced by respondents*
Storm (n = 212)	210	99.06
Heavy rains (n = 212)	18	8.49
Thunder/Lightening (n = 212)	0	0

* Multiple responses were allowed

Prevalence of occupational accidents among respondents

Overall, 91.51% of respondents reported having experienced an occupational accident while fishing near oil rigs within the past 3 months. Of the respondents who experienced occupational accidents, falls were the most reported accident (45.36%), closely followed by cuts (44.85%) and piercings from fishbones or fishing equipment (41.24%). Twenty-two of the respondents, representing 11.34%, have also ever experienced burns, whereas the least reported accident was shocks from some fish (1.03%) (Table 3).

Table 3.

Occupational accidents experienced by respondents

Variable	Frequency (N = 212)	Percentage (%)
Accident during fishing
Yes	194	91.51
No	18	8.49
Type of accident*
Fall (n = 194)	88	45.36
Cut (n = 194)	87	44.85
Piercing (n = 194)	80	41.24
Burns (n = 194)	22	11.34
Shocks (n = 194)	2	1.03

* Multiple responses were allowed

The study explored the association between independent variables and the prevalence of occupational accidents. In the unadjusted (bivariate) analysis, increasing years of fishing experience were associated with a greater risk of occupational accidents (COR = 10.16; 95% CI = 1.19–86.77; P = 0.034). From Table 4, a unit increase in the age of a fisherman significantly increases their odds of experiencing occupational accidents (AOR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.01–1.14; P = 0.024). Having a secondary school education was associated with a lower risk of having occupational accidents, as compared to those with no formal education, although the effect was attenuated in the adjusted model. There was no statistically significant association between education, seeking spiritual protection, marital status, alcohol consumption, and duration of stay at sea on experiencing occupational accidents (Table 4).

Table 4.

Association between covariates and risk of experiencing occupational accidents

Occupational Accident	Crude		Adjusted
	OR (95% CI)	p-value	OR (95% CI)	p-value
Age (in years)	1.05 (1.01–1.10)	0.027*	1.07 (1.01–1.14)	0.024*
Highest educational attainment
No formal education	Ref.
Primary/Basic Education	0.77 (0.26–2.24)	0.627	1.14 (0.37–3.54)	0.824
Secondary Education	0.16 (0.03–0.79)	0.024*	0.21 (0.04–1.13)	0.069
Marital status
Single	Ref
Married	0.91 (0.28–2.92)	0.876	0.33 (0.08–1.37)	0.127
Divorced	1		1
Alcohol intake
No	Ref
Yes	1.48 (0.56–3.93)	0.429	1.08 (0.37–3.18)	0.890
Fishing Duration (days)
One	Ref
Two	1.01 (0.34–2.95)	0.993	1.14 (0.35–3.69)	0.832
More than two	0.81 (0.20–3.20)	0.764	0.74 (0.17–3.21)	0.689
Years of fishing experience
Less than 10	Ref.
10–20	2.68 (0.87–8.25)	0.086
21–30	2.63 (0.63–11.08)	0.186
Above 30	10.16 (1.19–86.77)	0.034*
Spiritual protection
No	Ref.
Yes	0.59 (0.22–1.55)	0.286	0.47 (0.17–1.31)	0.148

Pearson correlation analysis indicated a strong positive correlation between age and years of fishing experience (r = 0.86, P < 0.001). To avoid multicollinearity, only age was retained in the adjusted logistic regression model; OR = odds ratio, 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; Ref = Reference; a single asterisk (*) means a significant difference at P < 0.05

Perceived threats due to oil and gas activities

Respondents were asked about the threats that oil and gas activities pose in terms of their health and fishing occupation in general. The responses were grouped under three main themes; seaweeds, arrest, and low fish catch. The majority of the respondents (77.83%) indicated that seaweeds posed a significant safety threat to their canoes and health while 30 respondents (14.15%) indicated that they were arrested by the naval officers protecting the oil rigs as they got closer. Only 17 respondents (8.02%) reported that low fish catches threatened them as it increased their operational costs. We investigated if respondents had experienced any health concerns due to the threats. The majority of the respondents (58.02%) indicated stress, followed by skin irritation (19.81%), headache and cold (17.45%), body pains (3.77%), and eye irritation (0.94%) (Table 5).

Table 5.

Perceived threats due to oil and gas activities

Variable	Frequency (N = 212)	Percentage (%)
Threats
Seaweeds	165	77.83
Arrest by the Navy	30	14.15
Low catch	17	8.02
Health effects due to the threat
Stress	123	58.02
Skin irritation	42	19.81
Headache & cold	37	17.45
Body pains	8	3.77
Eye irritation	2	0.94
Recommendations
Support from the Government	92	43.40
Support from Oil & Gas Companies	58	27.36
Cessation of oil extraction activities	40	18.89
Use of safer methods for extraction	22	10.38

Respondents were subsequently asked about their views regarding potential interventions in areas where oil and gas activities have a severe effect on fishing activities. Ninety-two (43.40%) respondents recommended that support from the government is necessary. Fifty-eight respondents (representing 27.36%) recommended support from the oil and gas industries. This support could be in the form of subsidies for fishing equipment, the organization of free health screenings, and direct financial support. While some fishermen (40 representing 18.89%) recommended the use of safer oil extraction methods, 22 respondents (10.38%) were of the view that oil and gas activities in the setting should be completely stopped (Table 5).

Discussion

This study assessed occupational accidents among artisanal fishers in the Western Region of Ghana. The findings on fishing activity frequency, safety practices, and natural hazards experienced by the respondents showed that most fishers go to sea more than ten times per month, typically spending one to two days at sea per trip. These patterns reflect the intense effort and economic reliance placed on artisanal fishing. These findings in part deviate from previous studies in Ghana (James Town, Accra), where on average, fishermen spend about 3.09 days at sea per trip, with a minimum of one day and a maximum of six days [39] but agree with a study conducted in Denmark, where most fishermen (45.93%) spent just a day fishing [40]. The differences in fishing duration may be influenced by seasonal variability, fish availability, and operational costs such as fuel.

Safety practices were found to be significantly lacking. Very few respondents carried first aid kits, and none reported using life jackets or lifebuoys. This aligns with previous studies in Uganda [41] and Ghana [42], which reported limited adherence to safety protocols. Several studies have reported that the use of a life jacket significantly prevents drowning [43–45]. The absence of basic safety equipment substantially elevates the risk of injury or death at sea [46]. The situation is compounded by limited safety training and enforcement mechanisms, emphasizing the urgent need for regular inspections and mandatory safety programs tailored to the informal sector.

The study further revealed that many respondents overload their canoes, which, combined with storms, represented the most commonly reported natural hazard, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Overloading remains a critical issue across artisanal fisheries, often driven by economic pressure to maximize each fishing trip. Prior studies have linked overloading of canoes or vessels to increased risk of capsizing and accidents at sea [47–49]. Such unsafe practices reflect broader systemic challenges, including low education, inadequate regulation, and resource constraints [26, 50]. The findings on storms being the most prevalent natural hazard are consistent with previous research [51]. In as much as storms, as a physical hazard, threaten the fishermen as well as their vessels by increasing the probability and severity of accidents, they also affect fishermen’s work patterns and income [52]. We also found that a significant proportion of the respondents used spiritual protection for fishing. This phenomenon is common among fishers across the globe [53–56]. Fishers can invest considerable time and resources in religious observances, thus potentially limiting their capacity to invest in safety measures or adhere to safety standards as they presumably believe their religious or spiritual support can have some level of efficacy [53]. Therefore, interventions targeted to improve adherence to safety measures among fishers should not ignore the sociocultural values of the fishers. Further research is also needed to explore how cultural beliefs intersect with occupational health and safety practices, and how traditional practices can be integrated into modern safety frameworks without compromising the wellbeing of fishermen.

This study showed a high prevalence of occupational accidents among fishermen. The most commonly reported incidents were falls, cuts from sharp objects, and fish spine piercings. These findings mirror global patterns observed in similar artisanal fishing communities [4, 23, 57]. While some of these injuries may occur irrespective of oil and gas activity, the presence of offshore infrastructure introduces additional risks. For instance, interactions between fishing vessels and oil and gas infrastructure can result in damage to fishing gear, loss of fishing time/access, and risks to crew health and safety [17]. Restricted fishing zones, increased traffic around rigs, and the possibility of oil spills or lighting interference all pose direct and indirect threats to fisher's safety [19]. Evidence from other countries also show that oil and gas operations can lead to gear damage, navigational hazards, and exposure to pollutants, further endangering fisherfolk [58].

We reported a statistically significant association between the age of fisherfolks and the prevalence of occupational accidents, with older fisherfolks having higher odds of experiencing occupational accidents than younger ones. Many reasons could explain the results. Firstly, older fishers or fishers with more years in fishing may have reduced functional capacity to meet the high demands of fishing [59]. Ideally, the work demands of a job do not increase with time, but work capacity usually decreases with age [60]. This could explain the increased risk of older fishers being involved in occupational accidents. Secondly, older fishers or fishers with more years in fishing may have higher risks of accidents than younger fishers [61–63] as they may underestimate the hazards and the risks associated with a task, thereby increasing their risk of accidents. A strong correlation was found between age and years of fishing experience (r = 0.86), suggesting that experienced fishers could become more familiar with a task and become overconfident, making them less vigilant about safety protocols or guidelines [64, 65]. These reasons could explain why more experienced fisherfolk had a higher risk of experiencing occupational accidents than their less experienced counterparts.

The study also investigated fisherfolk’s perceived threat due to oil and gas activities and recommendations on fishing interventions. With the advent of the oil and gas industry in Ghanaian waters, the fishermen believed that the industry was the cause of the high prevalence of seaweeds, as has been reported in earlier studies [66]. Floating seaweeds can directly regulate fishing mortality by reducing the catch per unit effort of fishers, mainly by fouling fishing gear [67]. There is no clear linkage between seaweeds and oil and gas activities. While some studies linked seaweed blooms to oil exploration or climate change impacts [68], others attribute the blooms to oil-related activities [69]. The onset of offshore oil and gas exploration in Ghana was followed in close succession by the first major sargassum (seaweed) influx in 2011 [70]. This could explain why fishermen perceived the activities of oil and gas as responsible for the high seaweed. Moreover, fisherfolks linked health conditions such as stress, skin irritation, headache and cold, and body pains they experienced to the threats posed by oil and gas activities. Studies have linked skin irritations and eye irritations to seaweeds [71, 72]. It is possible that the health conditions reported by respondents in our study may be attributed to oil and gas activities. While the general occupational health and safety hazards faced by fisherfolk may be similar across different regions, the risk of occupational accidents may be higher in areas located near oil extraction sites due to additional factors such as restricted fishing zones, increased maritime traffic, and environmental degradation [73]. For example, longer fishing durations, often necessary to compensate for reduced catch in restricted areas, can increase the probability of accidents at sea by contributing to fatigue and its associated impairments, such as slower reaction times, reduced alertness, and poor decision-making [74].

Participants proposed several recommendations, including subsidies for safer fishing equipment, health screenings, financial support, and the adoption of safer oil extraction technologies. Strategies such as monthly catch-based subsidies, personal protective equipment distribution, and safety training, implemented through existing fishing associations, could improve fisher welfare and reduce risk [75, 76]. While implementing such strategies in the informal sector may be complex, coordinated support from the government and the oil industry could make them feasible.

Limitations and strengths of the study

This study has some limitations. First, the cross-sectional design limits the ability to infer causal relationships between occupational hazards and the occurrence of accidents among fishermen. While this design is effective for identifying associations, it does not allow for assessment of changes or trends over time. A longitudinal design would be better suited to evaluate how exposure to such occupational risks evolves and impacts health and safety outcomes over time. Second, the data collected on occupational accidents, fishing practices, and perceived threats were based on self-reported responses. As with all self-reported data, there is the possibility of recall bias and social desirability bias, where respondents may underreport or overreport certain behaviors or experiences in order to align with perceived expectations. For example, some participants may have minimized risky behaviors or exaggerated safety practices.

Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable insights into the occupational accidents faced by artisanal fishers in the Ahanta West District. The findings offer a basis for further longitudinal and mixed-methods research that can more rigorously evaluate causality and validate self-reported data with observational or administrative records. These insights remain critical for informing targeted occupational health interventions and policies in Ghana’s fishing communities.

Conclusion

This study has shed light on critical aspects of the occupational experiences of fishermen operating around oil and gas extraction sites in Ghana. The findings underscore a high prevalence of occupational accidents and notable non-compliance with safety standards during fishing operations within the studied region. The identified occupational hazards, prominently falls and cuts, represent tangible challenges faced by the study participants. Low levels of education and lack of training among the fishermen in the Ahanta West District add a layer of complexity to the occupational landscape, potentially contributing to the observed safety lapses. Despite the inherent risks associated with their occupation, the fishermen in the Ahanta West District rely heavily on fishing for their livelihoods. This reliance exposes them to the continual threat of serious injuries and adverse health conditions, emphasizing the intricate balance between economic sustenance and occupational risk. To address these challenges and promote the well-being of fishermen, interventions should not only focus on implementing and enforcing safety standards but also consider educational initiatives that empower fishermen with the necessary knowledge to navigate occupational risks effectively. Additionally, fostering a supportive environment that values and incorporates the experiential wisdom of seasoned fishermen could contribute to the overall enhancement of occupational safety in the fishing industry.

Implications for policy and practice

This study highlights the urgent need for policy attention to occupational safety in artisanal fisheries. Measures such as training, enforcement of safety gear use, and collaboration between the government and the oil/gas sector are recommended to improve fisherfolk safety.

Authors’ contributions

TPA, SV, II, and LO-N conceived the study design and drafted the manuscript. MAO, ED, FJO, LBD, and ADOY participated in the study design, supported data collection and drafted some sections of the manuscript. TPA, EAB, DB, and KSB critically revised important intellectual content. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study received no funding.

Data availability

Data is provided within the manuscript or supplementary information files.

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from the Committee on Human Research Publications and Ethics (CHRPE), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana (CHRPE/AP/475/22). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to inclusion in the study. All data were anonymized to ensure participant confidentiality.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.