Special topics
Fishermen and International oil companies (IOC)in the Western Region have pledged to collaborate within the country’s Maritime domain to promote safe fishing and sustain the country’s marine resources
According to Nana Kojo Konadu , the president of the Western Regional branch of the Ghana National Fishermen Council (GNPC), currently the relationship between the oil companies opearting offshore and the fishermen has improved greatly.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at this year’s annual regatta for the six coastal communities in the Western Region , he said the initial apprehension was due to the lack of understanding and trust between the two sides. Nana Konduah said after many years , the two sides had learnt to coexist to ensure that the best interest of Ghana was protected to the benefits of all.
The regatta he said was normally used as a platform to educate fishermen on the importance of the safe practices in the industry . ” We also use the occasion to educate our colleague on other illegal methods of fishing and i must say that we will improve on the current regatta from a day’s activities to a week-long programme to ensure that we do more education and climax IT WITH ENTERTAINMENT ,WHICH INCLUDER BOAT RACE , TUG-OF-WAR AND OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES’’ HE SAID
He commended the jubilee Partners ,who were the sponsors , for their continued support and the provision of free health screening for participants and communities
Jubliee Partners
Mr Kwasi Amponsah , heads of public Affairs of the jubilee partner said the jubilee partnership deemed the annual regatta an opportunity to bring its operations to the doorstep of the host communities to enable them to appreciate and understand its operation and share information
From the information we share the fishermen understand why certain radius within the operational areas offshore are restricted and the risks associated with fishing in the area , ‘’ he said
Source: Daily Graphic