Apology accepted but I will still Discipline you - Hawa Koomson to Elimina fisherfolks

The sector Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Honourable Mavis Hawa Koomson has promised to discipline the entire fisherfolks at Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana.

The discipline as the minister has said, is a result of the rejection of food items by the fisherfolks at Elmina. 

She revealed the main reason for the rejection of the food items was because she told them to do away with light fishing and other illegal fishing activities.

This promise came when fisherfolk from Elmina followed up with the Honourable Minister for fisheries to Sekondi fishing Harbour, to render an unqualified apology on behalf of the entire fisherfolks for rejecting her items at Elmina.

The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister together with some stakeholders held a ceremony at Bosomtwi fishing Harbour - Sekondi, to end the one month of close season. The sea is now "opened " for inshore and canoe fishers to commence their fishing expeditions.

However, the industrial trawlers are expected to observe the closed season until 31st August 2021.

She said the closed season formed part of strategies to restock the sea, reduce excessive pressure and over-exploitation of the fish sticks.

In the meantime, the government is providing the needed logistics to help in strict enforcement by the Fisheries Commission and the Ministry is also procuring equipment that could test and detect polluted sea catch for arrest and prosecution.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V paramount chief of Essikadu traditional area also called on the Ministry to carefully guard the activities of foreign trawlers who were contributing to marine resource depletion.

Oppong Kyekyeku Emmanuel