MP, DCE go to aid of fishermen …over mysterious seaweeds

By:  Alfred Adams

The Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, and the District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Daniel K. Eshun, have swiftly jumped to the aid of fishermen in their area whose livelihoods are being threatened by the arrival of the mysterious seaweed on their waters.

The mysterious seaweed has taken over the coastal belt of Axim and Dixcove, and is rapidly spreading to other fishing communities in the region

The MP and the Assembly presented food items worth about GH¢12,000 from the District Assembly. The items include 70 bags of rice and 42 boxes of cooking oil.

Daniel K. Eshun, at the presentation, told the fishermen that the arrival of the seaweed, coupled with the algae bloom on the waters, which had become a threat to their livelihoods, was a source of worry to the Assembly and government.

He explained that the donation was a way of showing concern and assured them of the government’s commitment to a finding lasting solution to the problem.

Mr. Eshun revealed that the amount for the purchase of the items was taken from the Internally Generated Fund (IGF) of the Assembly, and therefore, reiterated the need for them to pay taxes for development.

The Member of Parliament for Ellembelle who doubles as the Deputy Minister for Energy, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, assured the fishermen of the President’s commitment to improving the lives of fishermen and would stand by them in difficult times.

He disclosed that the President had charged the Ministry of Science and Environment to do all the necessary research to find a solution to the arrival of the seaweed and the algae bloom menace on the coastal waters of the region.

The MP pledged to follow up at the Ministry until a solution was found to the relief of fishermen. Mr. Buah also donated an amount of GH¢1,000 in addition to the food items to the fishermen affected by the arrival of the seaweeds.

He, however, advised them to learn new ways of fishing so that they would benefit from packages the government had introduced to improve the fishing industry.

The Chairman of the Sanzule fishing community, Mr. Francis Badu, thanked the MP and the Assembly for the donation, and further appealed for their children to be considered in scholarship packages of the Assembly to enable them attain higher education.

He explained that times were hard due to the disturbances and arrival of the seaweed and the algae bloom, and expressed the hope that the problem would be cleared in the nearest future.

 

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