The All People’s Congress parliamentary aspirant for the Odododiodio Constituency, Jonathan Heward Mills, has revealed that his party when voted into power will construct an ultra modern harbour and a cold store in the constituency. One of the problems prevalent in the constituency has been the issue of light fishing.
The use of light to attract fish and other illegal means of fishing including the use of dynamites are adversely affecting the fishing industry in Ghana.
The phenomenon is now posing a massive threat to livelihoods of ten per cent of Ghana’s 25 million population, the ratio that depend on the industry.
The practice has drastically reduced the amount of fish caught by local fishermen and has thus contributed to the rise in importation of fish into the country.
Jonathan Heward Mills of the APC was one of the five contestants present at the 3rd straight series of 3FM‘s constituency debate, which took its turn in the Odododiodio constituency.
“Since my brother in the NDC has said a lot and since they are in government I believe they know more than we do and I can’t comment on that.
“You can never know what is happening until you are there and he has said something good so I think I am convinced with that.
“My government has assured me that it will put an ultra modern harbour and a cold store in this constituency”.
Other aspirants also had their say on the issue: Evangelist Larbi – PPP: “The fishermen are not getting any fish because of the trawlers so my problem is just simple. These problems never used to persist and it is really affecting our fishermen in the area. When we come to power we will advice them to go far because the sea is very big so our fishermen can go fishing, make some money and look after their children.”
Nii Lante Bannerman – NPP:
“The issue of light fishing has been very disastrous as far as our fishing community is concerned. What we seek to do is to show much more commitment because without commitment we cannot enforce it. We will show more commitment towards enforcing the fact that light fishing must stop.”
Issaku Sampson – CPP:
“When I get the nod, I will try and get the leaders of the fisher folks and engage them on how best we can work together to solve this problem.”
Nii Lante Vanderpuye – NDC:
“The commitment of the NDC government to averting the prevalence of light fishing is indisputable. We have gone further to acquire three marine fishing boats for the Ghana Navy which parade our shores to prevent the prevalence of light fishing. We have consistently educated those involved in that practice to use the appropriate means of fishing.”