Western region fishermen set for Regatta 2019

Over 2,000 fishermen in six coastal communities of the Western region are set to take part in this year’s regatta organised by the regional branch of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC-WR).

Regional chairman of the council, Nana Kojo Kondua told the Daily Graphic in Takoradi that the regatta platform had provided one of the best opportunities for interactions between the coastal districts and also engage directly with larger stakeholders.

Peaceful co-existence
He said this year’s eight-day regatta slated for June 12 to 20 is on the theme: 'Engagement with Stakeholders for Peaceful Co-existence’, would be different from previous years.

“We have additions, including medical screening that would take care of the needs of communities from Jomoro to Shama in a structured manner, aside other activities lined up for the observation of the annual programme,” he said.

Nana Kondua commended the lead oil operator, Tullow Ghana and the Jubilee and TEN partners for the continued support for the annual regatta and various other projects and engagements held in the region.

Regatta
Nana Kondua explained that a regatta is an important event to the fishing communities, especially with the involvement of the Jubilee and TEN partners, who are stakeholders in the implementation of the Public Consultation Disclosure Plan (PCDP).

He said beside various engagements put in place by the partners, the PCDP document enjoins Tullow and its partners by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to ensure that its stakeholders are updated on activities occasionally.

Nana Kondua also acknowledged that, though it was organized by GNCFC-W/R yearly, the annual event received sponsorship from the Jubilee and TEN partners in the country’s first and second independent oil and gas operations offshore.

“The platform, I must say, promotes collaboration, co-operation and communication between the fishing community, international oil companies and other stakeholders,” he said.

Racing
The main activities include canoe racing and health screening in major fishing communities within the six coastal districts of Axim, Dixcove, Half Assini, Ngyiresia, Butre and Asanta.

Other than these main activities, the council will collaborate with the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Road Safety Commission to sensitize the fisherfolks about fire and road safety. The Fisheries Commission will also provide an opportunity for fisherfolks to discuss the enforcement of key fisheries regulations.

Medical care, others
As part of the event, there would be health screening and medications for the inhabitants of the fishing communities. There will also be the engagement of thousands of key stakeholders, including canoe owners and fishmongers, in matters important to their general health and wellbeing.

The medical directors in the coastal districts have expressed readiness to support the activities in the communities to ensure medical care is delivered to the people.

The engagement would also cover fishing crew, youths, assembly members, women's groups and community leaders concerning the on-going 2019 TEN 4D seismic survey. The fishermen were of the view that the regatta would provide the opportunity for other institutions to engage with the communities on road, fire and offshore safety.

Additions
For the first time, other stakeholders such as traditional leaders across the coastal communities, Ghana National Fire Service, Road Safety Commission, Fisheries Commission, oil companies, Petroleum Commission, Marine Police, and the Ghana Maritime Authority would be at the event together.

The annual regatta remains the biggest platform for information sharing amid drama, traditional performances and games.

The council maintained that the programme was borne out of an interaction between the fishing communities and the GNCFC-WR on the one side and the offshore oil and gas exploration companies.

This inspired the council to actively engage with the oil companies to ensure peaceful co-existence, safe operations, protection of the marine environment and fishing livelihoods.

The GNCFC deems continuous stakeholder dialogue and information sharing as key mechanisms for ensuring mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence.