Elmina Chief Fisherman Sworn into fold of Central Regional Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council

Executives leadership of the Central Regional branch of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council have legally and traditionally performed rightful rituals to swear in into their folds the Chief Fisherman of Elmina Coastal Community, Nana Kwamina Badu.

The performance of the rituals to swear- in Nana Kwamina Badu into the council had affirmed his membership status of the council which signifies his Elmina fisherman chieftaincy position to partake in the various programmes and events of the council.

The traditional event which took place at Anomabo landing premix office on Saturday, May 22, 20021 amidst the singing of war songs and the firing of mustering was graced by the central regional executives of the council, chief fishermen including the fishermen and women from some recognised fishing communities in the region.

The President of the Central Regional branch of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council who doubles as the Chief Fisherman for Gomoah Fetteh Fishing Community, Nana Obrenu Dabum led the Central Regional executives of the council to perform the rituals to swear in Nana Kwamina Badu into the fold of council.

He tasked Nana Kwamina Badu to bring his vast fishing expertise on board to help combat all the illegalities, problems and challenges associated with the fishing activities within the Elmina fishing enclaves and the region as a whole.

Nana Obrenu Dabum further asked Nana Kwamina Badu to always unveil himself to the council whenever to the council they need his assistance to address the pressing issues confronting the artisan fishers and fishing industry in the region.

Administering the oath of allegiance to the executive members of the Central Regional branch of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, Nana Kwamina Badu thanked the executives for giving him the opportunity to part of them and promised to bring his expertise on board to help bring sustainable development to the fishing communities in the central region.

He used the occasion to appeal to the government to take a second look at the ban on light fishing activities on the sea which was banned due to its negative effects on the sea.

However, Nana Kwamina Badu who is a fisherman himself, noted that the ban on light fight activities on the sea was adversely affecting the fishing operational system on the sea.

According to him, although he was not against the government banning that activity, he believes that the central government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development should devise effective measures to regulate the light fishing methods of the artisan fishers rather than placing a total ban on it in the system.

He denied the widespread assertions which suggested that the light fishing activities are preventing the fishers to catch more fishes in the sea.

"This is not true. There are more fishes in the sea. So government must allow the fishermen to use light fishing and put in place effective regulatory measures to monitor the activities. 

"Our fishermen are having problems or difficulties catching more fishes in the sea because we have plenty of people on the sea now. But not the light fishing activities which are preventing the fishers to catch more fishes in the sea," Nana Kwamina Badu stated.

Nana Kwamina Badu promised to work with the chief fishermen in the region to improve the fishing activities of the fishers.