Fishing Ban: Misfortune awaits NPP in 2020 – Group

President of the Ga Dangme Concerned Youth Association (GDCYA), Nii Ayaafio Tetteh I, has condemned government’s resolve to implement a fishing ban in August this year, noting that misfortune will befall the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in the 2020 polls over the “sacrilegious act.”

Government imposed a ban on all fishing activities effective Tuesday, 7 August to 4 September 2018, to ensure the country’s dwindling fish stock is replenished.

Even though the Ga Dangme pressure group is not entirely against the ban, it argued that the proposed period for the ban coincides with the annual Homowo festival celebrated by coastal communities.

Nii Ayaafio Tetteh I explained to ClassFMonline.com on Wednesday, 25 July 2018 that there are series of traditions and customs, some of which are performed at sea during the festivities.

He stated that he is “not in support of what government plans to do. They have to consider our festivities. Where do you expect the Ga people to also get fresh fish which is used for other customs?” He questioned.

He expressed his disappointment in the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, indicating that she is a Ga native who should understand their traditions but rather superintending the ban.

“I’m so much disappointed in Afoley Quaye because she is from Nungua. When it was time for Nungua to perform their traditions, they went to catch big fishes to celebrate their festivities. It is now the turn of Ga Mashie and other coastal towns and she is calling for a ban on fishing in these areas…She should be aware that 2020 is just at the corner... It is a curse and it could come back to harm the President in 2020”.

He continued: “President Nana Akufo-Addo promised me of helping Ga Dangmes and I have seen that he is on that path, however, about 98 percent of Ga Dangmes occupying positions in the current administration are not doing well”.

Nii Ayaafio Tetteh I reiterated that the timing of the ban was wrong and they will not hesitate to embark on demonstrations to compel government to rescind the decision.

“There should have been a proper timing of the ban so that it doesn’t clash with the period of our festivals. You can’t just wake up and decide to ban fishing without consultation with the Ga people.

“All over the world, fishing at sea is not banned anyhow. Bans are placed on fishing in lakes and rivers but not at sea when the inhabitants are having their annual festival,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the Former Mayor for Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and now Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma South constituency, Okoe Vanderpuije, has charged the minister to review her decision since it will negatively affect the 2018 Homowo festival.

MP for Odododiodoo constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has also disclosed the intention of some fishermen and natives of coastal towns in the Greater Accra region to protest by organising demonstrations if the ban is enforced.