Fishermen along the coast of Sekondi and New Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana are eagerly preparing to go back to sea after observing the mandatory one-month closed season. The Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited Sekondi and witnessed many fishers busy preparing their nets and boats for an expedition in the evening.
Mr. Kweku Atta, the leader of the “Nyame Ye Odo” boat, expressed his happiness that the one-month period was over and expressed hope for a bumper harvest. He mentioned that despite the presence of the Moon, they would go and cast their nets tonight. Another team leader, Samuel Kwofie, supported the government’s program to close the sea during the closed season, as it is a positive intervention that should be embraced by all.
However, Samuel Kwofie expressed concern about the distribution of inputs meant for fishers by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. He claimed that these inputs often ended up in the hands of alleged party supporters who sold them at inflated prices, which affected fishers’ access to essential equipment like government-outboard motors.
On the other hand, Mr. Joseph Yeboah, the Western Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, praised the fishers’ compliance during the closed season and encouraged them to continue employing sustainable fishing practices to protect the health of the ocean and ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods.
