Cape Coast (C/R), Dec. 3, GNA- Cabinet has approved the procurement of a research vessel and four patrol boats for the fisheries sector to guard Ghana’s marine resources effectively, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.
The research vessel will facilitate regular fisheries research and stock assessment that would amplify data availability for science-based fisheries management.
The four patrol boats will be deployed in the four coastal regions to help the security agencies stem illegal expoitation of marine resources.
President Akufo-Addo said this at the 37th edition of the National Farmers’ Day celebration at the Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast in the Central Region on Friday.
He said the acquisition of the vessels would strengthen Ghana’s capacity to address the issue of over-exploitation of the country’s marine ecosystem.
The platforms will also help Ghana to curb the pervasive incidence of illegal unreported and unregulated fishing by both local and foreign fishing vessels.
The President said construction works on fishing harbours and landing sites across the four coastal regions were progressing steadily and that they would transform the fisheries sector with modernised berthing, handling, processing and mechanisation facilities when completed.
President Akufo-Addo was happy to note that the fishing communities had “enthusiasistically embraced” and seen the benefits of the closed fishing season policy and said preparatory works were ongoing for the enactment of a new fisheries act to address the lapses in the existing legislation and deepen sustainable management of fisheries resources.
He assured that the government would do all it could to help preserve the marine ecosystem of Ghana.
This year’s event, jointly hosted by the ministries of Food and Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Ghana Cocoa Board, was held on the theme, “Planting for Food and Jobs; Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana.”
The Day recognised the contributions of farmers and fisherfolks to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
A total of 160 farmers and fishermen across the country received awards for their efforts at ensuring food security in the country.