Kpone Fisherfolks protest over premix mismanagement

Hundreds of fisherfolks made up of fishermen, fishmongers and their dependants, are up in arms against the Chief Fisherman of the area, who they accuse of mismanaging the distribution of premix fuel meant for fishing expeditions.

The angry residents clad in red and white on Tuesday morning marched through the streets of the Kpone township to register their displeasure about developments in the fishing industry, which they claim is affecting their livelihood.

TV3's Tema Correspondent Josephine Frempong, says the protesters made up of the youth and the elderly, male and female, are demanding the removal of the Chief Fisherman, as well as accountability from the premix proceeds.

The numerous protesters extended their protest march to the beach where a lot of fishermen carry out their activities before and after fishing expeditions.

Authorities of the premix management committees across the country are also mostly located along the beaches where they carry out their operations.

There is no official response yet from the Chief Fisherman and the executives of the premix management committee.

Issues of diversion of premix and unfair distribution are common in the fishing industry.

Premix fuel is subsidized by government to lessen the plight of fisherman as they rely heavily on the product.

But there are often cases of diversion and sometimes unavailability.

Managers of the products are often seen as deeply partisan hence their discriminatory approach and mismanagement which are often handled lackadaisically.