We are able to catch more fish now - Ankobra fishermen rejoice over ban on galamsey

Since the ban was imposed to curb the activities of illegal miners in the country, many people have started reaping the benefits of the move by the government.

The fishermen who fish in the Ankobra River have revealed that ever since the activities of galamsey operators came to a standstill in these past few weeks, they are able to find more fish when they go fishing.

Paul Amoah, the Assembly man for the catchment area, in an interview granted to Accra-based Joy FM said that life in the community was returning to normal and there was a sharp increase in fish.

The Assembly man said fishing used to be one of the main occupations in the area until the introduction of galamsey.

He revealed that since the ban was placed on the illegal mining activity popularly called galamsey, some of the townspeople who were engaged in galamsey have reverted to fishing.

Paul Amoah said due to the effects of galamsey, the fishermen had to be fishing with traps because the chemicals with which the illegal miners used drove all the fish away.

He revealed that during the time of galamsey, the fisher folk were only catching shrimps and lobsters Life after the ban of illegal mining activities has been fairly good as the inhabitants are resorting to other means of livelihood.

He however revealed that he was yet to hear any news from the government about the creation of jobs for the townspeople who were previously engaged in illegal mining as their mainstay.

The campaign to ban galamsey had become an issue of national concern and the government has acted on the menace to help preserve our water bodies.