I will ban pair-trawling – Akufo-Addo assures fishermen

The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Akufo-Addo, has assured the fishing community across the coastal belt of the country that if voted into power his will ban the practice of pair-trawling in Ghana’s territorial waters.

The practice, which has depleted Ghana’s marine stocks, according to Akufo-Addo, persists because “the courage to do the right thing is not there. That is what is lacking in Ghana today,” he said.

He added, “Akufo-Addo’s government is going to have the courage to do what is right for the survival of our people and of our country.”

“We shall no longer postpone decisions on these issues. If you give me your mandate, we are going to have the courage to make the decision of banning pair trawling in our waters. If we don’t, by the time we leave this earth, the marine stocks would have been depleted. We met something, we must protect it for future generations.”

Akufo-Addo made the pledge during an interaction with fisherfolk at Elmina in the Central region on Monday, May 2.

Amongst other initiatives to ensure that the fishing industry is saved from collapse, the two-time presidential candidate indicated that the Fisheries Management Committees established by the Kufuor government to oversee fishing activities in the country will be restored.

He assured that the involvement and meddling of political party executives will be out of the fishing sector, adding, “this is the fundamental commitment the NPP government is making to the fishing industry. We are going to take politics out of the fishing sector.”

“My government will rehabilitate equipment brought in by the late Gladys Asmah, Minister for Fisheries under President Kufuor, for the construction of cold stores, which have been abandoned by the Mahama government,” he said.

Additionally, Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his commitment towards the construction of mini harbours at Axim, Teshie, Elmina and other sites, for which drawings are ready but gathering dust at the Ministry under the government of President Mahama.

Nana Akufo-Addo asked for the support of the fisherfolk of Elmina stressing that “everything you can do to help me win the election, please do. I am appealing to you to have confidence in me and support me fully. God-willing, when you give me the opportunity to serve this country, I promise that I will not let you down.”