Meet Paul Mensah Empowering Ghana’s Youth Through Catfish Farming
Paul Mensah is a passionate fish farmer based in Ashanti Mampong, Kumasi, Ghana. He runs a thriving catfish farming business and is committed to helping others venture into the field—whether on a small or large scale.
After university and national service, Paul, like many young graduates, struggled to find stable employment. Job interviews were inconsistent, and there was no guarantee of long-term opportunities. So, he teamed up with his brother who had always dreamed of starting a catfish farm. They began small—using just a Veronica bucket and 200 fingerlings.
Over time, they discovered a more efficient method of building ponds using tarpaulin (not cement or blocks), which was safer and cheaper. Cement-based ponds often caused fish deaths, especially at the early stages. Their innovation—building with tarpaulin supported by metal—allowed them to expand from 4 ponds to 21 ponds, gaining hands-on experience along the way.
Today, Paul doesn’t just farm—he builds ponds for clients, trains new fish farmers, and connects them with reliable buyers across Ghana. His team has created educational content, including videos and step-by-step guides, to make the learning process easier.
Importantly, Paul emphasizes that they don’t take commissions from the farmers they help.
“Our goal is to make sure you succeed. If you raise fish and can’t sell them, the business fails. So, we help you get buyers without taking from your profit.”
Paul points out that while many people are interested in catfish farming, they often make mistakes due to lack of knowledge:
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Some invest money without proper training and end up losing everything.
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Others overfeed, use dirty water, or lack disease management skills, which leads to fish deaths.
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Companies that once promised to support fish farmers failed to deliver—they didn’t help with marketing or proper training, which collapsed many ventures.
“The reality is, catfish farming is capital intensive,” Paul says. “You may need about GHS 8,000 to GHS 10,000 for feed alone if you’re raising around 3,200 fish. But if done well, you can make 33% to 50% profit after 6-8 months.”
He recommends that beginners start with at least 800 fingerlings and scale up with experience. For large-scale farms, like the one he built in Kasoa with 16,000 fish across 8 ponds, planning and proper systems are key.
Paul encourages the youth to see agriculture as a viable and profitable career, not a fallback. He believes that jobs exist in Ghana, but success requires innovation, dedication, and skill.
“Many young people want to travel abroad thinking that’s the only way. But agriculture can change your life right here in Ghana. My mother inspired me with stories of successful farmers, and I decided to try—and I’ve never regretted it.”
He hopes to one day become one of Ghana’s largest catfish suppliers and continues to share his journey on TikTok and other platforms to inspire others.
Social Media:
TikTok: @catfishpong
Based in: Accra, Tamale, Bolgatanga, Volta Region, and beyond
Now floating across Ghana—one pond at a time.
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