Challenges confronting fishermen along the coast particularly in the Jamestown area in Accra, government has presented eight outstanding outboard motors to some fishermen at Jamestown.
The fishermen had bemoaned, among other things, government’s failure to provide them with outboard motors after they made part payment in a subsidized government programme several months ago.
The fishermen, who say they paid about GHc6,000 for the outboard motors about five months ago, were yet to receive them.
The fishermen at the appeared cheerful after the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Sherry Ayittey visited the shore to distribute the eight outstanding outboard motors to add to the 22 distributed last year.
According to the Ms. Ayittey, each outboard motor would have cost GHc12,000 but for government’s intervention.
“Our father President Mahama has subsidized the price. We term this as a presidential initiative. The outboard motors are very expensive. What we have brought today costs GHc12,000 cedis but the fisher folk paid GHc6000. The difference has been paid by government.”
The beneficiaries of the outboard motors expressed their joy to Citi News, because, according them, work will now go on smoother than before. “I am very happy. My canoe hasn’t been in use for the past six months but hopefully Monday, serious business will commence. I have waited for this outboard motor for close to eight months now. I have a lot of problems here but I believe they will be solved one by one.”
The Secretary for the Ga Mashie Canoe Fishermen Association, Alfred Lamptey, lauded the distribution of the eight outboard motors but also indicated that government could be doing more to bolster the fishing industry in Jamestown.
“Today that the machines have arrived and have been given to the owners, I am happy. We need extra ones because we the canoe owners are more than 300… but what we have been supplied is only 30. No we have spoken to the minsters and they should increase the number so that everybody will be able to have his share.”
Source: citifmonline.com
