Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, has responded to former President John Dramani Mahama's promise to ban the close season instituted for fishing in Ghana if he is re-elected.
The former president had promised that the next government led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would implement a closed season for only industrial fishing trawlers, allowing subsistence fishing to continue.
In response, Mrs. Koomson stated that Mr. Mahama was merely using the issue of fishing closed seasons for political gain. She noted that Mr. Mahama had the chance to stop illegal fishing activities during his tenure as president but failed to do so. She emphasized that the closed season is necessary to prevent the depletion of fish stocks in Ghana's waters, and urged fishers to save for the season so that their livelihoods are not severely affected.
Mrs. Koomson also pointed out that small-scale fishermen who use canoes would not be affected by the closed season, and it is the big trawlers that would be prohibited from fishing during the season. She highlighted that it is the heavy industrial trawlers that are causing damage to Ghana's marine stocks with their illegal fishing practices.
In conclusion, Mrs. Koomson urged politicians not to deceive fisherfolk for their own political gain, and emphasized the importance of preserving Ghana's fish stocks for future generations.
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