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Address Premix Politics At The Fisheries Sector – KASA To Gov't

By Abdul-Hanan Adam
General News Samuel Mawutor, Coordinator of KASA Platform and Forest Watch
DEC 18, 2017 LISTEN
Samuel Mawutor, Coordinator of KASA Platform and Forest Watch

KASA initiative Ghana, a Natural Resource and Environment (NRE) Civil Society Organization has called on government to employ drastic measures to deal with issues of politics surrounding the implementation of the premix policy.

“We also call for stricter enforcement of the Fisheries Act. 625 and related legislation to deter and dissuade violation of fishing regulations”, a communique issued by KASA Ghana said.

According to reports, there have been at least 200 cases of premix fuel diversions in the country since January 2017, indicating serious inefficiencies in the regulation of the petroleum sector.

However, a total of fourteen Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) who’s identify unknown have been banned for allegedly diverting premix fuel.

But speaking at the 8th Annual CSO Parallel Review, the Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Sector last Friday in Accra, Samuel Mawutor, Coordinator of KASA Platform and Forest Watch wants government to marginalize other issues affecting the sector.

“we need to regulate the fishing that we are doing so that we are not over fishing and allow the fishes can bred for us to have enough for domestic and commercial use”, he said.

Mr. Mawutor added that, “The biggest catch we are making on our seas is actually not fish but plastic polythene especially black polythene, that is what is filling out ocean.

“We really really need to step up efforts to clean our beaches and effect stiff measure to regulate the Fisheries sector”.

He said, as civil society coalitions, they are committed to engage each other to coherently engage with government and its regulatory agencies through the CSO-Government consultation framework developed by the Ministry of Finance for Natural Resources and Environment Sector.

KASA Platform after a two discussions and review on major issues in the sector, commended government and the various NRE sector agencies for the amendment of the Companies Act to legally require companies to disclose their Beneficiary Owners.

It also commended government for establishing the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources which is expected to give water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) sector increased prioritization and focus.

It however made several recommendations to government for the effective management and governance of the Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) sector.

The 8th Annual CSO Parallel Review the Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Sector was themed “Safeguarding The Environment For Posterity; Whom The Bell Tolls”.

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