By Laudia Sawer
Tema, April 16, GNA – The Tema East Constituency Executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed to the party’s national officers to intervene in a misunderstanding regarding the formation of Landing Beach Committees.
A letter signed by Mr Seidu Abdulal, Tema East Constituency Secretary, addressed to the NDC National Chairman, and made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), stated that “Your swift intervention in this matter is urgently needed to calm our nerves and assist our brothers.”
It added that the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture sent a notice to all members of parliament with fishing activities in their constituencies, asking them to liaise with their constituencies to form Landing Beach Committees and submit the names to her office.
According to the executives, Mr. Isaac Ashia Odamtten, the MP for Tema East, “disregarded the minister’s advice and formed the Landing Beach Committees on his own (suo motu). The constituency secretary petitioned the minister upon hearing that the MP had formed the Landing Beach Committees without informing the constituency.”
It added that the said petition was referred to Mr. Rockson Defeamakpor, the Majority Chief Whip who is also the MP for South Dayi, who subsequently, met the constituency executives and other stakeholders in the fishing industry in Tema East who had not been consulted, including the National Vice Chairman of the Canoe Owners Association of Ghana, on Monday, 24th February 2025.
It added that “In the said meeting, it came to light that the MP did not consult the constituency and the key stakeholders who are involved in fishing in Tema East. It was, however, agreed that the number of landing beaches in the constituency (10 landing beaches) be divided to satisfy both the constituency and the office of the MP. That is, the constituency would take and form five (5) Landing Beach Committees, while the office of the MP would also take and form five (5) Landing Beach Committees.”
The letter added that it was also agreed that both the constituency and the office of the MP would each take one committee to satisfy the nomadic fisherfolks the Fantes, who are involved in fishing in Tema East).
It stated that after the arbitration and agreement with the Majority Chief Whip, the MP expressed dissatisfaction and presented his sharing formula, in which he stated that the constituency would take three landing beaches, and his office would take seven.
“Hon. Defeamakpor again intervened and suggested that we accept the MP’s formula to ensure peace and to make sure our fisherfolks receive fuel to carry out their business.
To our surprise, the MP proceeded to submit 10 Landing Beach Committees instead of the seven he had proposed and submitted the same to the minister without informing the constituency.”
The executives expressed worry that the agitation from the canoe owners and branch executives, whose primary concern was fishing, was becoming unbearable; therefore, their call on the NDC national chairman to swiftly intervene to calm their nerves.
According to them, “The enormity of the excesses of our MP is completely staggering and requires the attention and intervention of the party. In the interim, we respectfully request your indulgence to address the issue of the LBCs with the necessary urgency. At a more opportune time, we will bring to your attention how our MP has weaponised his office and divided the constituency, particularly along tribal lines.”
GNA
LS/GRB