The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekondi, Lawyer Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has provided financial support to fishermen in Nkotompo to purchase approved fishing nets. This gesture comes as the 2024 closed season for canoe and inshore fishers in Ghana comes to an end.
The support, totaling GHC40,000, aims to assist eleven fishermen who had their fishing nets destroyed during a recent operation led by the Fisheries Minister and Western Region Minister. The operation aimed to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices in the community.
The incident sparked outrage among residents and fishermen, who were left helpless as their nets were seized and burnt. The MP’s intervention follows his interactions with the affected fishermen, who expressed concerns about their ability to resume fishing after the closed season.
Lawyer Andrew Egyapa Mercer explained that he decided to support the fishermen by providing them with approved nets to enable them to return to their fishing activities. He emphasized the importance of using approved nets to avoid future incidents.
The closed season, which ends in August, serves as a biological rest period for fish to reproduce and restock. Fishermen in Nkotompo were concerned about how they would resume fishing without nets.
The MP’s support has brought relief to the affected fishermen, who can now purchase approved nets and return to their fishing activities. Chief of Nkotompo, Nana Kofi, received the cash donation on behalf of the fishermen and expressed gratitude to the MP.
Nana Kofi promised to ensure that the cash is used to purchase approved fishing nets for all those affected by the incident. He acknowledged the MP’s fulfillment of his promise and expressed appreciation for his support.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by fishermen in Ghana, who often struggle with the enforcement of fishing regulations. The MP’s support demonstrates his commitment to supporting his constituents and addressing their concerns.
Lawyer Andrew Egyapa Mercer’s intervention has been praised by the fishermen, who can now look forward to resuming their fishing activities with approved nets. The support also underscores the importance of collaboration between lawmakers and their constituents in addressing community challenges.
As the closed season comes to an end, the fishermen in Nkotompo can now return to their fishing activities with renewed hope, thanks to the support of their MP.
