May 18-2026

On 13th May, I had the opportunity to visit FTN AquaArt AG, an innovative indoor fish farming facility established in 2013 with a vision for sustainable aquaculture. I was accompanied by my driver, Mr. Seth Ashong, and H.E. Fouzia Abdirahman Abass.

The indoor farm is located in the village of Rafz. One observation that continues to impress me in Switzerland is the quality of infrastructure development. Every road leading to the village was fully asphalted. Since arriving in Switzerland, I have not encountered an untarred road leading to any village—even those located high in the mountains. This reflects the country’s strong commitment to infrastructure accessibility and rural development.

The facility currently produces approximately 240 tons of fish annually and serves as an excellent example of how technology and sustainability can work together to address global food security challenges.

We were warmly welcomed by Mr Lukas Schneeberger, who introduced us to the facility’s operation through a detailed presentation. He explained that global fish demand has reached critical levels, with natural water bodies and oceans already producing close to their maximum sustainable capacity of about 100 million tons annually. As the global population continues to grow, fish farming has become increasingly important in bridging the gap between demand and supply.

One guiding principle emphasized throughout the visit was: “Think Global, Think Local.”

We learned that every fish species has unique environmental and biological requirements. Successful aquaculture, therefore, depends on understanding the ecology and breeding systems of each species. Discussions also focused on the importance of regulating fishing activities in natural water bodies. In Switzerland, fishing in lakes requires a paid annual license, and harvesting is strictly controlled to prevent overfishing and protect biodiversity.

Mr. Schneeberger shared his experiences working in aquaculture in Uganda and expressed concern about the pressures facing major African water bodies such as Lake Victoria and Ghana’s Volta Lake. He highlighted the environmental risks associated with uncontrolled cage fish farming and poor waste management, which can reduce dissolved oxygen levels and threaten aquatic ecosystems.

He recommended the use of pond systems combined with Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), which allow for more sustainable fish production while minimizing environmental impacts. One particularly striking lesson was the story of a Swiss lake that lost aquatic life due to oxygen depletion and required nearly twenty years for recovery.

This facility practices sustainable fish farming, with activities carefully designed from hatchery to adult harvesting. We were taken through the various stages of production, observing how technology and environmental management are integrated throughout the process.

The facility operates using advanced RAS technology where water is continuously treated through aeration and nitrifying bacteria that convert ammonia from fish waste into nitrates. The water is then filtered and reused, while the sludge generated is processed and supplied to nearby farmers as organic material. Remarkably, about 99% of the water used is recycled, making the amount of water required to produce one ton of fish significantly lower than many other protein sources such as beef, chicken, beans, and groundnuts.

As we toured the facility, we entered specially controlled breeding areas where silence and low lighting were maintained to avoid disturbing the fish. The farm produces three major species: African catfish, European catfish, and European perch. Most operations—including feeding, water quality control, and monitoring—are fully automated.

I was impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the staff, as well as the facility’s commitment to sustainability. Packaging materials such as wood are reused, no antibiotics are used in production, and harvesting methods avoid destructive practices such as trawling. Fish feed is carefully selected according to species and growth stages, and we were advised against the use of poultry feed in fish farming—a practice sometimes observed in parts of Africa.

Mr. Schneeberger also expressed willingness to visit Ghana as a visiting lecturer for universities running aquaculture programmes. I further proposed opportunities for Ghanaian PhD students in aquaculture to undertake attachment programmes at the facility to gain practical experience.

Beyond aquaculture, Mr. Schneeberger also runs a Christian NGO supporting approximately 200 orphans. He shared some of the challenges faced in acquiring land for community development projects, including disputes arising from documentation issues and competing ownership claims. We discussed possible ways of engaging relevant authorities for support. His commitment to helping society was deeply inspiring. One statement that stayed with me was: “The world belongs to all of us, and when God blesses you, you must also bless others.” What a powerful lesson.

After the tour, we were taken to the facility’s kitchen where we tasted some of the fish products sold in Swiss grocery stores. It was a delightful experience. As a gesture of appreciation, I presented Mr. Schneeberger with a kente stole and Ghanaian chocolates. To our surprise, the fish products we selected for purchase were generously offered to us free of charge.

During the journey, I also had enriching conversations with H.E. Fouzia Abdirahman Abass. With her extensive experience as a career diplomat, I learned a great deal about multilateral relations and diplomatic engagement with colleagues from different countries. As a political ambassador, such interactions continue to broaden my understanding and strengthen my experience.

Indeed, the journey was worth undertaking.