MCE donates outboard motors to fisher-folks

Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Isaac Ashai Odamtten, has distributed one hundred (100) pieces of outboard motors to fisher-folks in Tema.

Speaking at a ceremony to hand over the outboard motors to the beneficiary fishermen at Tema Fishing Harbour in the Greater Accra region, Hon. Odamtten reiterated government's commitment to support the industry with the necessary logistics so as to enhance their operations.

Mr. Odamtten told the gathering that the distribution of the outboard motors was in fulfilment of President John Dramani Mahama's promise to the fisher-folks which promise was to help the industry to grow in the area.

He, therefore, charged the fishermen to refrain from the use of archaic methods of fishing that adversely affect the industry. He was particular about light fishing.

"The world is changing and we must do things that would benefit us and generations yet unborn," he stressed.

He used the occasion to condemn parents who neglect their children’s education and rather buy special funeral clothes to attend funerals.

Hon. Odamtten also advised the fisher-folks to value education and take care of their children’s educational needs.

“The only thing that can bridge the gap between the rich and the poor is education, and so encourage your children to make good use of the numerous interventions government has put into education," he said.

The Tema mayor indicated that the outboard motors would be subsidised at the cost of GHC6000 to the fisher-folks.

Against this backdrop, he appealed to the fisher-folks to vote for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to continue with its good works.

For his part, the parliamentary candidate for NDC in the Tema East constituency, Mr. Kempes Ofosu Ware, said the NDC government has always supported fisher-folks throughout the years, adding that when he [Kempes] was the MCE for Tema he ensured that the landing beach was constructed in two from the initial one that was proposed “and this has continued till date,” he said.

Mr. Ofosu Ware also charged the fisher-folks to take good care of the outboard motors and maintain them to increase their lifespan.