Freddie Blay, Board Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has explained that the invasion of seaweed along the coast in the Western Region, should not be associated with the activities of the oil companies in the area.
“This can be as a result of the climatic conditions and global warming and described the situation as very disturbing as it has affected the livelihoods of fishing communities along the west coast,” he said.
The seaweed, also known as Sargassum is threatening fishing activities of fisher folks in the coastline of the Western Region especially in the Nzema area.
Mr. Blay, accompanied by Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, Dr. Dominic Eduah and some management team of GNPC visited Axim, Apewosika, Esiama, and Eikwe within the Nzema East Municipality and Ellembelle District in the Western Region were in the Nzema area to assess the situation and to interact with the fisher folks as to what can be done to salvage the situation.
“What we have seen today is alarming we cannot ignore the negative impact it will continue to have on people living in these communities if urgent steps are not taken to find solutions.”
Therefore, he appealed to the media to help disabuse the minds of the fishermen in the coastal communities that the invasion of the seaweed is as a result of the activities of Jubilee Partners as it is being speculated.
Also, Mr. Blay called on oil companies and other stakeholders to take immediate steps to alleviate the suffering of fishermen whose livelihoods have adversely been affected by the invasion of seaweed.
Kwasi Bonzoh, District Chief Executive of Ellembelle, noted that the fishermen in the area are not experiencing bumper catch due to seaweeds that invade intermittently every year.
Nana Kofi Bentil, Chief fisherman of Lower Axim pointed out that the situation compelled the fishermen to suspend fishing activities to avoid the destruction of their nets by the substance that comes in volumes.
