Fishermen complain of rampant harassment by Navy

Sekondi, Feb. 8, GNA- The Ghana Inshore Fisheries Association (GIFA) has called on the Western Regional Minister and the Ministry of Fisheries to take immediate measures to check the frequent harassment of its members by personnel of the Ghana Navy.

They also called for investigations into the alleged assault on one of their members, Annan Tetteh, by three officers of the navy on January 30 this year at the Bosomtwe-Sam fishing harbour. Narrating the incident to the Ghana news Agency (GNA), Mr Andrew Tetteh, spokesman and winner of the 2005 best fisherman flanked by other executive members said the assault on Tetteh was the latest of such incidents at the harbour.

He said for no apparent reason, the victim was chased during a fishing expedition at sea by the navy personnel to the harbour, where he was arrested and severely assaulted and his canoe also impounded. The victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment and the matter was reported to the Police.

Police officers at the harbour Police post told the GNA that the matter was under investigations. Mr Emmanuel Nii Botchway, Secretary of the Association said the incident where fishermen were chased at sea, arrested and severely assaulted by the Navy personnel had been going for sometime now. The victims were later found to have committed no offence. Egya Akwandoh and JOhn Doku, Executive members said whereas the Association has no qualms with the Navy for doing their work, they have no right whatsoever to infringe on the rights of law abiding citizens.