The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, has distributed 83 outboard motors to fishermen in the 14 fishing communities along the southern Volta.
This follows Citi News’ reports on the challenges confronting fisher folks along the of southern Volta.
Residents along the southern Volta who depends largely on fishing told Citi News the fishing business say it is gradually losing its attractiveness as a result of activities of illegal fishing.
They also told Citi News how sea erosion destroyed the beaches and how difficult it was for them to purchase fishing gears.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Keta, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Sherry Ayittey said the motors were sold to the fishermen at a subsidized price.
She said this is one of government’s means of sustaining fishermen.
“This program is a presidential initiative. Under this initiative, our fishermen contribute only 60% to the total cost of the outboard motors and through the district assembly common fund government also absorbs the remaining 40%” she said.
She also revealed that government will soon implement an insurance policy to insure the lives and operations of fishermen. She also added that government will soon construct landing beaches in some of the communities.
Secretary to the fishmongers in the area, Ruby Adukpo, who commended the government for the gesture however said such interventions should not only come during elections.
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By: King Norber Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana