Elmina fishermen issue ultimatum to government

Elmina, Sept. 5, GNA - Fishermen in Elmina have threatened to "cause mayhem" if the government fails to ensure that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) hands over management of the fuel to them by the middle of this month.

The IMC was set up two years ago to manage the sale of pre mix pending investigations into alleged malpractices by the Chief Fisherman, Mr Joojo Solomon.


The Deputy Chief Fisherman, Opanyin Kobena Badu, told a press conference on Thursday that there was an uneasy calm in the town because of the situation.


He said since it was the government that instituted the sale of the fuel to bring development to the fishing communities, it was the prerogative of the Chief Fisherman to manage its sale and that the IMC was supposed to have been in office for only three months. Opanyin Badu said the IMC had failed to render accounts to the community for the two years that it had been in office.

"Proceeds from the sale of the fuel which is meant to be used for development projects of their choice are controlled by the IMC without consultation."


Opanyin Badu also alleged that fishing inputs meant for them were being diverted and called on the government to take appropriate action to stop any confrontation. Papa Kwamina, a boat owner, said the IMC had politicized the supply of the fuel and "that is gradually killing the industry."