The National Vice President of the Fish Processors and Traders Association, Nana Amokuma is also known as Emelia Abeka Edu is advising the Minister of Fisheries, Hon Elizabeth Aforley Quaye to use the umbrella body of The Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) to distribute nose masks and veronica buckets bound for the Western Region fishing community.
Speaking on the fortnightly fisheries discussion programme on Radio 360 , “Yenkor Po” in Takoradi, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Aforley Quaye revealed that the distribution of COVID 19 safety items are being distributed to various fishing communities nationwide.
“As I am speaking, we are distributing COVID 19 relief items since last week; we have done some fishing communities in Greater Accra, the Chief Director and other
Fisheries staff are en route this morning to the Volta Region with items as the Deputy Fisheries Minister Hon Ato Cudjoe and another team is heading towards Western and Central to distribute some of the items.
Responding to a question by the Vice President of NPFTA on who will receive such items in the region and distribute, the Fisheries Minister revealed that it will be done by the various metropolitan and district assemblies.
“We work with the local government and the items will be sent to the district assemblies, all that were distributed in Greater Accra notably Ga South, Tema, Ledzokuku, and Krowor were sent through the various assemblies..; presently the one bound for Volta Region will be sent to the Keta and Anloga District Assemblies where we meet with the fisherfolks and present the items to the various municipal chief executives who will distribute it to them” ; the Fisheries Minister revealed.
She took the opportunity to advise the fishing communities to protect themselves from COVID 19 by ensuring needed social distancing of 2 metres apart when dragging the fishing net and ensure frequent handwashing with soap and running water and stay home.
For his part, the senior programmes officer of Friends of The Nation, Kwadwo Kyei Yamoah was unhappy over the delay in the distribution of the relief items.
“It seems the items have kept a bit long as COVID 19 started some time ago, but it is in the right direction that the Minister is ensuring such is done. It should have been ensured however that word was sent to the leadership of the fisherfolks on what items, quantity are being dispatched, and when they will arrive? This will help the leadership know when to take delivery and distribute to their members. The fisherfolks differ per every district and planning must be ensured so the right quantities of items can be efficiently distributed ” ; Kwadwo Kyei Yamoah underscored.
The Deputy NAFPTA coordinator registered some disagreement with the approach of using the district assemblies as stated by the Minister.
“There is the umbrella body, GNCFC, who have all the data of the fisherfolks with the break down of all the landing sites and their chief fishermen; some have 6 chief fishermen and so when all the details are not well gotten and it is handed to some MCE, then some politics (partisanship) will emerge. Like the veronica buckets being distributed by the assembly, you will realize party faithful influencing where it is placed and makes it look partisan hence the call for the Canoe Council..NAFTA etc. When the assembly calls for the representatives, can they determine their right numbers? Can the MCE determine the right numbers of the fisherfolks? Many fishmongers want to wear nose masks, but they can hardly afford so they end up sewing substandard ones that leave parts of their mouth or nose exposed…if I lead the distribution I can know those I gave so will ask anytime I see them and not wearing, I will ask her where is the one I gave you?”. Emelia Abeka Edu stated.
The Far Ban Bo Dialogues is funded by Oxfam and undertaken in Ghana by Care, Friends of the Nation and airs every other Tuesday on Radio 360 in the Western Region.