Group to sue Fisheries minister over ban

A group calling itself Friends of fishermen have vowed to use all legal means to fight the ban on all fishing activities in August.

The directive which comes into full force next month has however been met with fierce resistance from some fisher folks and other well-meaning Ghanaians.

Already some fishermen in Accra have resolved to march to the jubilee House, Monday insisting the ban won’t favour them as it’ll have a negative effect on their livelihoods.

The government announced in June that there will be a ban on all fishing activities in August as part of measures to improve the country’s dwindling fish stock.

Many have questioned the timing of the ban, saying it will impoverish the fishing sector.

At a news conference held in Accra on Friday afternoon, leader of the group, Sam Laryea said they will use all legal means to overturn the directive of the ministry.

“I think the ministry must listen to the fisher folks, when the minister fails to heed to our call, we will picket at their office, we will go on demonstrations, we will use all the legal processes to make sure that this close season is called off” he warned.

According to the group, “most canoes have been pulled down, they have been pulled down not because of the lean season, they have been pulled down because around this time they’re expecting that in a few weeks to come, the harvest season will start, when the harvest season comes, then they have to make sure the fishing gear is in order”.

He noted that the time at which the ministry is issuing the directive does not favour the fisher folks but rather it will affect them greatly, considering it being a “bumper harvest”.

Source: kasapafmonline.com