Fishermen to be introduced to solar-powered outboard motors next month

Fisherfolks in the country will from next month be introduced to solar powered outboard motors to run their canoes.

The pilot programme, is expected to sanitize and bring to conclusion problems associated with pre-mix fuel.

The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who announced this for the first time, during a stakeholder engagement at Saltpond in the Mfantsiman Constituency of the Central region on Friday September 20 said, “I want our fishermen to move away from a dependence on premix fuel to power the boat, let us go for solar power, electric power to power the boats.”

He said meetings would be held with fishermen from next week so that they are taken through the rudiments of the solar powered outbox motors.

Pilot programme

“So before the end of this year, we are going to pilot the solar powered outboard motors. In that case, we would make the outboard motors available to the fishermen and then they do not need to buy pre-mix any more. Once the sun is shining their batteries will be charging and they can go across,” he explained.

Dr Bawumia said, it would be ensured that every fisherman got one of the solar powered outboard motors.

With this, the NPP flag bearer, believes there would be a permanent solution to problems associated with the distribution of pre-mix fuel.

Central region

Together with other leading members of the NPP, Dr Bawumia began his “possibilities tour” of the Central region on Friday (September 20, 2024)  to share his “bold solutions” to the chiefs and people of the Central region.

His first stop was at the Twifo Ati Mokwa Constituency and later to the Twifo Heman Lower Denkyira and the Mfantsiman Constituencies respectively.

He continues with his tour today (Saturday, September 21, 2024) to the Agona East, Agona West and the Gomoa Central Constituencies.

During his visits, Dr Bawumia is expected to continue with his stakeholder engagements, interact with traders and drivers in the markets and on the streets, and also connect with the youth of the various communities through mini rallies.

Recounting the history of the pre-mix fuel and the problems that came with it at Saltpond, Dr Bawumia said, the NPP government on assumption of power introduced pre-mix fuel automation.

He said the Mfantsiman Constituency has at least three of the automated machines.

He, however, said inspite of the automation, there continued to be problems with the pre-mix and so “I have been thinking a lot and discussing how to solve this problem permanently."

Dr Bawumia said he concluded discussions on Thursday (September 19, 2024) and God willing "I believe we have a permanent solution to this problem.”