Fish Imports High

Ghana spent a total of 150 million dollars on the importation of fish to supplement local produce last year in spite of the country's high inland and marine fishing potential.

District Chief Executives have therefore been urged to give the fishing industry the maximum support in their various districts to revamp the industry.

This was contained in an address delivered by Mr Ishmael Ashitey, Minister of Fisheries, at the fifth monthly meeting of District Chief Executives in the Northern Region at Salaga, on Friday.

Mr Ashitey was on a working tour of fishing communities along the Volta Lake.

He said the continuous importation of food items that could be adequately produced in Ghana, does not augur well for the economy. Hence, it is the duty of District Chief Executives to help fishermen in their areas to improve their businesses so as to produce enough fish.

Mr Ashitey said the government is out to generate wealth for Ghanaians and not to plunge them into further poverty, and urged all stakeholders in the food industry to help produce adequate food to feed the nation.

He called for the monitoring of fishing methods and vessels by District Chief Executives in their respective areas to ensure that fishermen do not operate with unauthorised fishing nets.