Hon. Ama Benyiwa Doe, Central Regional Minister presenting a beneficiary Fisherman with his Outboard Motor

Government through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Bank, (ADB) has presented 166, 40 HP Outboard Motors to Fishermen in the Central Region.

This is the third of such presentation in two weeks by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Kwesi Ahwoi, as part of government’s support to fishermen for this year’s fishing season which begins in July.

The first and second presentations were in Western and Greater Accra Regions respectively.

The Outboard Motors were sold to the beneficiary fishermen at a subsidized price of GH¢4900.00 representing a subsidy of between 30% and 50%.

According to the Minister the same type of outboard motor is being sold at GH¢6600.00 by the ADB imported landed price while on the open market, it is being sold at GH¢8000.00

Hon. Kwesi Ahwoi, further added that, in as much as he agrees with government supporting agriculture with subsidise, it was about time,  farmers and fishermen took advantage of the enabling environment to establish and manage their own  agro input stores or malls.

He suggested profits from the sale of pre-mix fuel as one avenue of cash generation for the setting up of a one stop fishing store or mall.

The Minister assured the landing Beach Committees of government’s support should they decide to establish a store or mall for fishing gears and equipment.

The Minister said a fish processing factory will soon be established at Anomabo adding that the construction of Cold Stores and Landing Sites are clear examples of government’s commitment to develop the fishing industry.

He appealed to the fishermen, to reduce the prices of their catch as their contribution to the tax payers of Ghana, whose taxes have been used to subsidize the outboard motors and pre-mix fuel.

He further entreated the fisherman to desist from selling the outboard motors to others at the open market price, adding that fishermen who did not benefit from the ADB imported ones, would be served when the MASLOC consignment arrives.

Source: Ministry of Food and Agriculture

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