Harvest Of Trees In Volta Lake Angers Fishermen

Fishermen along the Volta Lake in the Eastern Region say they would stand up against any person or group of people who would deny them their livelihood.

The aggrieved fishermen, calling themselves 'Concerned Fishermen of the Volta Lake and Villages who are negatively affected by the harvesting of trees in the Volta Lake have registered their displeasure over the activities of Dedeso Company Holdings and its allies.

According to the group, Dedeso Company Holdings and its allies have subjected them to what they described as unfair and inhuman treatment and that they could no longer endure the pains.

The leader of the group, Ayittah Amos, made the remarks shortly after nearly three (3) hours demonstration on Wednesday at Akateng, fishing and farming community near Asesewa, in the Upper Manya Krobo District.

He explained that, even though they are not against the creation of route path for the boats or ships on the Volta Lake, the activity must be conducted in a environment of civility and respect to human rights.

The Concerned Fishermen leader, recalling how the Akosombo Hydro-electric dam was constructed, indicated that many of them lost their properties, including lands, farms and animals among others, during the 1964 construction of the dam.

Mr. Ayittah disclosed that despite the economic hardship they were subjected to during the construction of the dam, government has not compensated them till date, and if by God's own wisdom he has given them another source of their livelihood, the company has come to remind them of their plights

He continued that, since the destruction of their properties through the construction of the dams, they decided to nurse different kinds of fish species in the Volta Lake for their livelihood through the use of bamboo and fishing nets among others.

The group leader further mentioned that, some seven (7) years ago, a company without any identity and consultation invaded Upper Manya and other territories and started harvesting the timbers in the water thereby polluting and disturbing the habitat of the fish stock.

For the group, it is important some of the trees are kept in the water because the effect of harvesting among other things includes the destruction of the breeding space of the fishes and fingerlings.

“During the harvesting of the trees, it is common to see that most of the fishes that leave the tree trunks die and float on the water.

“Again, it is important to allow some of the dead trees and animals to remain in our waters because the fossil fuel being mined today were reserves of some trees that got buried many years ago under the water”, he added

He further pointed out that: “The trees serve as anchor to save a drowning boat during a heavy thunder storm where fishermen swim towards them for refuge as well as canoes are tied against them”.

They have, therefore, kicked against the harvesting of the trees in the Volta Lake by Dedeso Company Holdings and called on the government to intervene.

They further called on government to investigate why the company is using the military and some selfish men to impose curfew on the affected communities, adding that many communities and markets along the Volta Lake would fade out, leading to fish and food insecurity.