By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Nov. 25, GNA – The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has presented more than 7,000 work equipment to support the livelihoods of fisherfolks along coastal communities in the Central Region.
The equipment comprised 2,200 sewing machines, 2,600 hair dryers and 2,470 barbering kits to be given to fishers who underwent skills training a few months ago.
Government, in a frantic effort to rescue Ghana’s fisheries sector, has introduced a plethora of measures including the vexed fishing closed season and a moratorium on new canoes which are inevitably taking a toll on the fisherfolks.
The Sector Minister, Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson, after hearing their concerns, has moved to provide them with alternative sources of livelihood to alleviate their plights, hence the training and the accompanying tools.
Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister, received the items from the Ministry in Cape Coast on behalf of the coastal assemblies for onward delivery to the more than 6,000 trained beneficiaries.
Nana Owusu Acheampong, the Special Aide to the sector minister, presenting the items on behalf of the Minister, was certain that the equipment would bring relief to countless families along the coast.
He emphasised that there was a lot of pressure on the sea and, therefore, it had become necessary to take critical steps to save the fisheries industry.
“There were about 4,000 canoes on the sea at the last count and we are trying to bring it down and so we are enforcing a moratorium on the introduction of new canoes on the sea.
“We also enforce closed season and every time, the people cry that they have nothing to live on. We have brought them these tools to help them to survive when the sea is closed and they are not able to go the sea,” he said.
Nana Acheampong assured that the ministry was working to introduce further interventions to improve the welfare of fishers.
Mrs Assan, the Regional Minister, was also upbeat about the impact the gesture would have on the communities and commended the sector minister and the government for prioritising the welfare of fishers.
“It will go a long way to support their families. So, assuming the closed season is done, you cannot say that because of closed season you could not get any money to feed the family.
“You have the sewing machine and the barbering kits which will help you make some money to support the family,” she said.
She entreated the beneficiaries to put the machines to good use right away to benefit their families and neighbourhoods and cautioned them against selling or using them as decorations.
“The enthusiasm and the commitment they have shown today tells me that they are ready to put the thing to use,” she observed.
The Regional Minister announced that a monitoring system would be mounted to track the progress of the beneficiaries and offer them the needed assistance.
Nana Joojo Solomon, President, Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, said the gesture was a clear sign that government through the Ministry of Fisheries had felt the plights of the fishers.
“It is an intervention in the right direction, and it eliminates every breach of human rights.
“During the closed season when you are asking people not to go to sea, these interventions will ensure that there is no human rights abuse in our attempt to recover the fisheries industry,” he added.
Some beneficiaries who present to witness the presentation were happy and expressed gratitude to the President, the Vice President, and the sector minister.
GNA