- Hawa Koomson condemns Mahama's over close season pledge
- Koomson notes that Mahama introduced the close season policy during his presidency
- Fisherfolk are opposed to lifting the ban, having seen its benefits, and are even requesting additional fishing restrictions
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has strongly condemned the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, for his promise to cancel the close season for fishing should he win the upcoming December elections.
Expressing shock and disbelief, Mrs. Koomson noted that it was the same John Mahama who introduced the legislative instrument for the close season during his tenure as President. She emphasized that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) inherited the policy from the Mahama government and implemented it to replenish the dwindling fish stocks.
“The fisherfolk will hoot and fight him if he attempts to lift the ban on the close season,” Mrs. Koomson confidently stated. “They have seen the benefits and are even calling on us to place a ban on Tuesday and Sunday fishing,” she added.
The Minister made these comments while distributing food items to fisherfolk at Edina, including bags of rice, cooking oil, canned fish, tomatoes, smoking nets, and pans to fishmongers. Each canoe will receive 15 5-kilogram bags of rice ahead of the close season.
Mrs. Koomson expressed her delight at the peaceful and orderly distribution of the items, which she noted was a departure from the chaos that characterized previous distributions. The beneficiaries were visibly happy and grateful after receiving their items.
