The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development last week lifted the ban on fishing activities for this year’s close season for artisanal and inshore fleets.

The fishing close season, which prevented the fishers from fishing in Ghana’s waters for a month, was introduced by the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission as a measure to replenish the country’s fishery stock which data suggest has been dwindling.

The period also provides fishers the opportunity to mend their equipment and prepare for their expeditions.

James Town bumper catch

In an interview with Accra based Citi FM, the James Town fisher folks attributed their bumper catch to the weather.

They said the catch this year is far better than previous years and said the cold weather condition was a contributory factor.

“For the first time, Sunday and today [Monday], infact Sunday was the best, I can say it is because of the weather,” the chief fisherman at James Town added.

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However, fishermen in the coastal community have adopted the practice of burying tons of plastic waste at the shores to address the escalating waste issue along the coastline.

The fishermen argue that a significant portion of the litter scattered on the coastline is not solely theirs, but leaving the plastic waste unattended poses a serious threat to their source of livelihood.

The fishermen have initiated a clean revolution by burying the waste they encounter at the shore.

Patrick Lokko, a fisherman, expressed frustration with the constant littering along the coast and highlighted the collective effort of some fishermen to clean the beaches.

He explained that, due to the inability to afford waste collection services, they resort to burying the waste after gathering.

Plastic waste, unlike other materials, does not biodegrade and can take up to a millennium to break down when not properly discarded.

This pollution negatively impacts marine wildlife, damages soil, poisons groundwater, and poses health risks.

Michael Dogberfu, another fisherman, emphasised that plastic waste is affecting their livelihood and, despite knowing their waste management method is not ideal, stated that it is the best they can do at the moment.

While their efforts initially bring a sense of accomplishment, the buried rubbish resurfaces over time.

However, there is another initiative by individuals seeking to profit from the tons of plastic waste resurfacing on the beaches.

They collect discarded plastic bottles and sell them to specific companies for recycling and processing.

Despite acknowledging that burying plastic waste is not the best practice, the fishermen believe it is a necessary interim measure due to the lack of waste disposal infrastructure in the area.

They are appealing to the government for resources to ensure proper disposal of the waste collected at the seashore.

Fishermen and boat operators at Kabiti in the Nkwanta South Municipality are experiencing a shortage of premix fuel, a situation at hand that is affecting business and movement.

According to the fisherfolk and boat operators, they find it difficult to fend for their families due to their inability to go to work regularly following the premix shortage.

In an interview with Adom News’ reporter, Obrempongba K.Owusu, the fisherfolk and boat operators expressed anger at the development and indicated that the situation is being caused by some individuals hoarding and selling it at a high price for them.

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The fisherfolk indicated that they have suffered the unfortunate artificial shortage which has led to the collapse of business and affected their livelihoods.

They lamented that a gallon of premix fuel that was selling at Gh¢60 now sells at Gh¢180-200 to them from an authorised sale point and provision shops.

The fisherfolk, who poured out their frustrations, said they could not cope with the situation anymore and therefore called on the Ministry of Fisheries to intervene.

Premix fuel is a subsidised petroleum product for artisanal fishers in the marine and inland fisheries sector to power their outboard motors for fishing.

This was done alongside a free health screening at the Chorkor Calvary Presbyterian Church.

The meeting was highly patronised by National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwarts including the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Constituency, Alfred Oko Vanderpuye, Fritz Baffour, former MP and Dr Gideon Quarcoo, former Deputy Minister of Communication among others.

Mr Bonsu, speaking at the event, expressed his profound gratitude to the people for responding to the call, and indicated that the NDC’s faith is in the grassroots people who serve as pillar on which the strength of the party revolves.

He equally recounted how governments have found it difficult to sustain the fishing industry which was one of the ultimate visions of the great man, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was being remembered at the political gathering.

Mr Bonsu also touched on the untold plights of the Ghanaian people, especially the youth and pledged that the party will avert the situation should they come to power in 2024.

In his opinion, “the national cake is, unfortunately, being shared based on party colours and this has led to varying degrees of corruption including scandals associated with the premix fuel which is meant to help with the works of the fisherfolk.”

Mr Vanderpuye, who had the closing remarks, said Ghanaians now appreciate the true state of the nation and were inspired by the enchanted participants to get involved in the reorganization process to wrestle power from the New Patriotic Party.

He added that winning the 2024 elections will not happen when the branches are sleeping but they have to rise to the call of every occasion to have serious conversations to bring the party to power.

He indicated that the reorganization process will be numerical, research, and data-based.

As part of ensuring a healthy lifestyle for the fisher community as Covid-19 has tested individual immune system, a free health screening was conducted to check Blood Pressure and other related health conditions for the fisherfolk.

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day celebration is a national public holiday observed to commemorate the unquantifiable contributions of Dr Nkrumah towards the struggle for Ghana’s independence.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day was formerly called ‘Founder’s Day’ celebrated to earmark the achievements of Osagyefo Dr Nkrumah.

Kwame Nkrumah was a founding member and the first president of Ghana. He was born on 21 September, hence, the ‘Founder’s Day’ celebration on his birthdate each year until in March 2019 by an Executive Instrument changed to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.