Ms Sherry Ayittey (2nd left) presenting the outboard motors to Mr Frank Pratt (4th right), the District Chief Executive of Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese. Looking on are Nana Kweigya VII (3rd right), Chief Fisherman of Moree, and other beneficiaries. Picture: GABRIEL AHIABOR

Fisheries Ministry hands over outboard motors to fishing communities in 3 districts

Gabriel Ahiabor Jun - 24 - 2016 , 10:58

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) has handed over 100 outboard motors valued at GH¢1,250,000 to fishing communities in three districts in the Greater Accra and Central regions.

The beneficiary communities are Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, which had 55 of the outboard motors, Kpong-Katamanso (15) and Gomoa West (30).

Other fishing communities will in the course of the year receive their share.

Over 4,000 outboard motors will be given out to fishing communities across the country under a programme by the government to procure outboard motors for fishermen.

The sector Minister, Ms Sherry Ayittey, who handed over the outboard motors at a short ceremony in Accra last Monday, said additional 2,500 40 horse power outboard motors would be procured for marine fishermen, while 1,500 pieces with smaller horse power will be given to those fishing in the rivers and the lakes.

Social intervention

Ms Ayittey explained that the programme was an intervention by the government to assist fishermen to procure the motors at an affordable price.

She further explained that the fishermen would pay 60 per cent of the cost, while the government would pay the remaining 40 per cent.

She asked them to take good care of the outboard motors to prolong their lifespan.

Economy

The minister said the fishing industry contributed a lot to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and stated that it exported over a billion dollars of tuna and other fish products annually.

“About 60 per cent of individual protein intake is from fish and that every Ghanaian consumes over 23 kilos of fish yearly,” she said.

The Chief Fisherman of Moree in the Central Region, Nana Kweigya VII, who received the share of Moree fishermen on their behalf, thanked the government for the support.

He said the outboard motors came at an opportune time as the peak season in the fishing industry usually started in June.

He appealed to the various premix committees to constantly supply fishermen with the fuel to enable them to make maximum use of the outboard motors.