NPP National Organiser, Sammy Awuku interacting with some of the fisherfolks
The ruling New Patriotic Party's National Organiser, Sammy Awuku is popularly known as The Supremo has visited the fisherfolks at Axim in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
The one-day visit was to listen to their concerns, challenges and look at the way forward of the CLOSE SEASON of the fishing industry.
According to the fishermen, though the season is not yet over they are entreating those in authorities that, in the next season, the government should intensify its education in order for them to get in-depth understanding and the significance of the close season, so as to harmonize government programmes along with the fishing communities.
According to one of the Chiefs who spoke at the gathering, the close season should have started 17 years ago, but he thanked the government for the bold decision to implement the close season policy; for they believe it's going to yield the needed results for the fishing industry.
On his part, the Chief Fisherman of Lower Axim, Nana Kofi Bentsil, commended President Akufo-Addo led Government for the construction of the Sea Defense Wall at Axim.
He seized the opportunity to entreat his colleague fishermen to desist from light fishing, the use of dynamite and improper net fishing.
He pleaded with Sammy Awuku to inform Government that, they are ready to relinquish their old nets and government to replace their nets with modern nets to aid them in their fishing industry.
One of the Fishermen disclosed that the major tools in the fishing industry are premix fuel, the nets and the outboard motor.
He further stated that the government should keep up the good work it doing and continue to help them sustained the fishing industry.
Addressing the gathering on Tuesday, May 4, 2019 at Axim, the NPP's National Organiser, Sammy Gyamfi thanked the fisherfolks for cooperating with the Government to ensure that the Sector becomes lucrative.
He also thanked the MCE for the area, Hon. Frank Okpenyen for such a wonderful Organisation for him to meet the fisherfolks.
He disclosed that the Akufo-Addo Government has secured funds to construct a Fishing Harbour for the good people of Axim.
He added that the money accrued from the selling of premix, the committee should see how best to use the money to benefit the good people in the area.
He promised that the government would find an alternative livelihood programme for the good people of Evalue Ajomoro Gwira in the next close season of fishing.
After the gathering, Sammy Awuku seized the opportunity to interact with market women and some sellers in the area.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Frank Okpenyen expressed his profound to the NPP's National Organiser, Sammy Awuku for visiting the fisherfolks to see their concerns.
He, therefore, called on the fisherfolks to continue rally behind the Akufo-Addo led the Government to develop the area.
He disclosed that the issue of premix shortage has been the thing of the past adding that the government has supplied the fisherfolks premix on time.
The MCE also added that as a result of a transparent Premix Committee set up by the government, the Committee has raised money to construct ultra-modern ten seater water closet toilet facility.
He seized the opportunity to highlight some of the projects the NPP government is doing in area such as; the construction of Axim Sea Defence Wall, Construction of a Mini Sports Stadium at Axim, construction of Axim township roads, construction of DVLA office at Ayiskro, distribution of free shoes to some deprived Basic Schools in the area, distribution of furniture to some Basic Schools among others.
The programme saw in attendance all the major Chief fishermen of Axim, fishmongers, opinion leaders, sellers, some NPP Constituency Executives of Evalue Ajomoro Gwira, the MCE of the area, some Regional Executives like the Regional Youth Organizer, the Deputy Regional Organizer, Regional Women's Organizer Regional Organizer, the media among others.
