Tensions are rising in the fishing community of Abuesi in the Shama District of the Western Region, as fishmongers demand their share of food supplies from the Fisheries Ministry. The supplies, which include rice, cooking oil, and tin fish, are meant to sustain fisherfolk during the closed fishing season.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, began distributing the supplies along coastal communities on July 1, but the Abuesi community is divided over who should receive the aid.
The chief fisherman, Nana Konduah V, insists that the initial supply is meant only for fishermen, but the women are demanding inclusion, arguing that they too depend on the sea for sustenance.
The women, who gathered at the Chief Fisherman’s house, chanted war songs and protested the exclusion, saying they need the supplies to feed their children. “We can’t understand this. We will demonstrate in protest,” they said.
The Chief Fisherman is calling on the sector minister to expedite action in catering to the women, saying the pressure is too much and the complaints are too numerous. “I will plead with the minister to quickly send the share for the women as she does every year, so that there will be peace,” he said.
The women argue that the closure of the sea has rendered all of them unemployed for the month, and it is unfair to exclude them from the food supplies. “I find it difficult to understand how some are receiving rice to the detriment of others when the closure of the sea has rendered all of us unemployed for the month,” said one of the women.
The protest highlights the challenges faced by fishing communities during the closed season, and the need for inclusive support from the government. The Fisheries Ministry’s food supplies are a vital lifeline for many families, and the exclusion of women from the distribution has sparked anger and frustration.
The Chief Fisherman’s plea for the minister’s intervention suggests that the situation may escalate if not addressed promptly. The women’s demands for inclusion are likely to resonate with many in the community, and a swift resolution is necessary to maintain peace and harmony in Abuesi.
The incident also raises questions about the distribution of resources and support in fishing communities, and the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach that recognizes the contributions of all members, including women. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Fisheries Ministry and the government will respond to the demands of the fishmongers and the concerns of the Abuesi community.
