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21.01.2005 General News

Movement to embark on peaceful demonstration

21.01.2005 LISTEN
By GNA

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - The Corporate Social Responsibility Movement (CSRM) on Thursday said it would embark on a peaceful demonstration to attract the attention of the authorities to adopt measures that would safe the country's lagoons from extinction.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, Executive Secretary of the Movement, said the decision was taken after extensive consultation between CSRM with stakeholders in the fishing industry, Ministers of State, Directors of Boards and Agencies, Members of Parliament, Traditional Authorities and nongovernmental organisation (NGOs) as to how best the marine resources could be preserved for generations.

It said it was significant for all to appreciate the dangers now facing the fishing communities, especially the use of light in fishing, which was banned but being extensively used now. CSRM viewed the problem as having reached a crisis point though there was no concrete commitment on the part of State Officials to help to address the situation.

The statement said the demonstration was in collaboration with the Tema Canoe Fishing Council and had the support of the Ghana Trades Union Congress.

"It is obvious now that most of the fish species we use to see have disappeared and unfortunately our lagoons that form part of the marine ecosystem and constitute the breeding grounds for some marine species were not preserved."

It said the Chemu Lagoon was now scientifically dead; the Korle Lagoon had become a storm drain; Kpeshi and Gao Lagoon had almost silted up and it was abundantly clear that until the ordinary Ghanaian raised the issues, State Actors would not act.

The statement said the demonstrators would go to the Tema Naval Base to present a petition to the Naval Officer and then to the Tema Municipal Assembly, the Presidency and Parliament; Office of the Regional Minister and finally gather in front of the Trades Union Congress Hall for an address.

The statement explained that CSRM was prompted to act following a report by a Taskforce on Environment in the Millennium Project, which proposed practical solutions to the environmental crisis in developing countries.

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