By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Sekondi
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has presented items to coastal communities in the Western Region under the Alternative Livelihood Programme.
The over-5,000 items, including sewing machines, hairdryers and barbering kits, went to fisherfolk who have acquired training in sewing, hairdressing and barbering.
“The trainings in these areas serve as alternative livelihoods to empower them and reduce coastal communities’ overdependance on already burdened fisheries resources,” Nana Owusu Acheampong, Special Aid to the Minster of Fisheries and Aquaculture, told media during the items’ presentation to the Western Regional Coordinating Counci for onward delivery to fisherfolk.
According to him, training under the Alternative Livelihood, which started few years ago, will continue to cover all those who have not had the opportunity.
“Studies have shown that our fisheries resources, especially the marine, are being are overly-exploited. There are so many people involved in activities happening at sea, bringing the fisheries sector down – and so we have used many interventions to stop these things and one of them is the Closed Season,” he said.
He continued: “The question is, when the sea is closed, what is the alternative when they are not on the sea? Research conducted by the GFRA indicates that 55% of fisherfolk wish they could get additional income to reduce the number of activities at sea. In 2022 after the Closed Season, the ministry also conducted a research and it confirmed this,” he added.
He expressed hope that the items will empower as well as set them up to ensure they can earn income from the trade.
Nana Jojo Solomon, President-National Canoe Fishermen Council, pointed out that over the last decade the Fisheries sector has had a lot of challenges – such as small vessels competing with bigger vessels at sea and low fish catch among others.
“Government has heard our cry and intervened by supporting us with these items after training; we are grateful for the kind gesture and we promise they will be put to good use,” he added.
Madam Victoria Darko, an Executive Member of the National Fish Processors and Traders Association (NAFPTA) -Western Chapter, praised government for supporting the coastal communities with an alternative livelihood programme.
