The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, says the closure of the fishing season has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She added that there was less sensitisation to help the Ministry prepare for the closure at the agreed period of July to September, 2020.
In view of this, the Ministry has planned to deepen sensitisation for the 2021 closed season.
Elizabeth Afoley Quaye
She disclosed this when she presented 300 out of 1,300 outboard motors to fishermen at Elmina in the Central Region, to enhance their fishing activities.
The Minister explained that distribution of subsidised outboard motors is part of the President’s fishing input support scheme for fishers, which is to support the livelihoods of fisher folks and the fishing communities.
According to the Minister, government through the Ministry, is collaborating with the Coastal Development Authority (CoDA) to provide fishers with the outboard motors at affordable prices.
“Government is procuring over 5,000 outboard motors for distribution to beneficiaries at affordable prices t to improve their productivity. The first 1,300 outboard motors being distributed was imported with initial funding from ADB Bank…” she said.
In an interview with Nyansapow Timothy of Darling FM, Nana Obrenu Daabum lll, Ghana National Fishermen’s Council Chairman, Central Region, who received the donation on behalf of the fishermen, commended the sector minister and President Nana Akufo-Addo, for responding to their problems.
“Central Region Fishermen Council has received several complains from fishing communities, fishermen are selling the Government’s subsidised outboard motors to different people for high prices, so we thank God for this,” Nana Obrenu Daabum lll said.
