Some fishermen in the Keta municipality of the Volta region are reportedly living in agony, as their wives abandon them to Accra and elsewhere in search of greener pastures.
This is because their aged old fishing vocation, which they inherited from their forefathers is no longer lucrative.
The situation, which is attributed to factors such as climate change, use of unapproved fishing methods and the increasing cost of fishing inputs, including premix fuel with its irregular supply, according to the fishermen is robbing them of their livelihood and economic prospects.
A visit by this reporter, Lambert Atsivor to one of the fishing communities, popularly known as ‘Keta Premiere’ reveals that the fisherfolks plights have been aggravated by the little or no catch they are experiencing in recent time from their fishing expeditions.
The fishermen who are frustrated with the situation, , said life has become unbearable for them, as they are unable to make ends meet for their families, hence the desertion by their wives.
“We’re no longer getting anything from our fishing expeditions.. The business is becoming problematic, heavy storms have destroyed our equipment and nets. Even the premix (fuel) has become exorbitant and scarce.”
“We have now become single parents, because our wives have deserted us to Accra in search of greener pastures,” Kodzo Segborgbe lamented.
Another fisherman, Korku Mieso who have been fishing for almost four decades also said “I have been fishing here since my childhood, but we’re no longer getting bumper catch in recent times. When go on the sea nowadays, we only come back with weeds in our nets, as you can see here for yourself and this is making it difficult for us to take cater for our children’s education.”
The Fisherfolks are thereby appealing for the construction a fishing jetty in the area, in order to revive their trade.
Source: modernghana.com
