By Mavis Paintsil
The President of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, Nana Joojo Solomon, has challenged newly inducted chief fishermen to make their landing beaches free of light fishing and other illegal practices threatening Ghana’s marine resources.
He was speaking at the inauguration of 29 chief fishermen from southern Volta into the Council at the Jamestown Fishing Harbour last Friday, October 16.
Nana Solomon said the sustainability of the artisanal fishing industry depends on strict enforcement of fisheries regulations at the local level.
According to him, chief fishermen have a triple accountability — to their traditional authorities, to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and to the Council — and must not place themselves above their chiefs.
He pointed to Jamestown as proof that light fishing can be stopped.
“If your colleague has been able to create a landing beach free of light fishing, then you should also be able to do it. Take it up as a challenge and let us move the industry forward,” he stressed, cautioning the new leaders against arrogance and disregard for traditional authority.
Premix and Welfare
The Administrator of the National Premix Secretariat, Ebow Mensah, in his address, tasked the new leaders to lead with integrity and unity.
He urged them to work closely with premix committees to stop the diversion, hoarding and unauthorised sale of subsidised premix fuel and to ensure transparent management of the 53% premix Community Development Fund meant for fishing communities.
The Paramount Chief of Kedzi, Togbe Agbesi Awusu II, who represented the Awadada of Anlo, Togbe Joachim Acolatse I, said the Council’s priority would be the welfare of fishers and fish processors while fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
He listed light fishing, use of undersized and prohibited nets, and incursions by foreign trawlers as existential threats to artisanal fishing.
Togbe Doe Nkekeshie, Regional Chairman of the Canoe Council for Southern Volta, called for collective action to protect the sea, while Dr Collins Nana Andoh, Maritime Officer of the Ghana Maritime Authority, urged fishermen to promptly report illegal fishing and marine pollution.
The induction forms was part of efforts to strengthen local fisheries governance and protect livelihoods along the Volta coastline.
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