Apam (C/R), Feb. 10, GNA - The Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze has called on fishermen to take advantage of the waive on VAT on the importation of fishing gear in this year's budget statement to improve the industry.
The greatest gratitude you can show to the government for removing the VAT is to increase production, Mr Edumadze said.
He made the call at the third Central Regional Fishermen Awards Day at Apam on Tuesday, during which 31 fishermen, fishmongers and service providers were presented with certificates and fishing inputs. Mr Kwame Esson from Elmina was adjudged the best fisherman while Nana Kweigya, Chief fisherman of Moree was declared as the best chief fisherman and presented with a certificate, two bundles of net each and two days with their families at Elmina Beach Resort and the Coconut Groove also at Elmina.
Mr Edumadze said the Central Regional Co-ordinating Council decided three years ago to award fishermen in the region who produced greater part of the nation's fish requirement to motivate them to step-up out put.
Mr Victor Okulley Nortey, MP for Ablemuma Central and Deputy Chairman of the Premix Committee, announced that the government had decided to increase the supply of the fuel to fishermen to enable them increase production.
He said the Tema Oil Refinery had agreed to provide an additional tank for storage of the fuel.
He urged them to rally behind the government for a better future. Nana Kweigya commended the government for instituting the awards and appealed for assistance to curb the use of light because it contributed to depleting fishing resources.
