Sale Of Rotten Fish Exposed

But for the timely intervention of The Crusading Guide, AFKO FISHEIRES CO. LTD. (a marine fishing company owned by Koreans) would have made undeserved profit from the export of 210 metric tons of rotten, foul-smelling Tuna fish to neighbouring African countries.

Unfortunately however, before The Crusading Guide could uncover this deal, tons of part of rotten Tuna fish had already been unleashed unto the Ghanaian market and were being patronised by innocent consumers at attractive and apparently subsidised prices.

The labourers working with AFKOFISH who had been subjected to different levels of brutalities and torture on the high seas as carried in our earlier reports, had been threatened by the authorities of Marine Vessel AFKO 106 where the rotten fish had been hidden not to blow the whistle on the seam to the Ghanaian Security Agencies if they wished to keep their jobs.

In the course of investigating the numerous secret tours of the MV-AFKO 106 vessel, this carefully packed in a cold room of the vessel. The odour of the fish was so offensive that this reporter nearly fell sick from the stench after hiding in the ship that whole day.

The Port Health Authorities of Tema Harbour had already been bribed into silence by the AFKOFISH authorities at the expense of helpless consumers who might innocently be thanking AFKOFISH for their low prices. Messers Antwi Bempong and Seth Ayim of Port Health Office took five sacks of wholesome fish and instantly became blind to the dreadful nature of the other unwholesome lot that was being fraudulently sold to their innocent compatriots.

The five sacks of 'BRIBED fish' were brazenly carted away before the very eyes of the AFKO labourers who were on board that day. The Crusading Guide quickly moved to the Port Health Superintendent, Mr E.N. Sakah to ask him why those rotten fish could not be declared unwholesome by his outfit.

Apparently shocked by the news, he quickly summoned Bempong and Ayim who came and confessed that they did not do a thorough check on the contents of AFKO 106 and so could not detect the rotten tuna fish.

This reporter then advised them to go back and take stock of the rotten fish before all is sold out to innocent consumers.

Upon that advice, a second check was done by Tema Port Health Authorities which vindicated this paper's position. But that was not until they had fought and overcome a fierce resistance by the Captain of the MV-AFKO 106 vessel who initially refused them entry into the vessel.

In fact, it took the full force of the Buffalo Unit of the Ghana Police Service to secure access to the 'PANDORA BOX'. The Port Health Report, officially signed by the Port Health Superintendent, Mr E.N. Sakah and dated 24th March 2003, described the condition of the fish as "flabby with sunken eyes, giving offensive odour on exposure to sunshine".

The Report copied to the District Officer of the Ghana Police Service and the Managing Director of AFKO Fisheries Ltd. Tema, said that "Inspection was finally conducted on the food item on board your vessel after initial resistance form the master of the vessel which necessitated the intervention of the Buffalo Unit of the Ghana Police Service (Tema Brach)." "The above food item (tuna fish) which was not properly frozen due to mechanical fault of the freezing system on the high seas cannot be used for human consumption. It can however be used for animal feed. You are therefore requested to suspend sales to people whose identity cannot be easily located. All interested recognised poultry farmers must submit undertaking to his office indicating that it is solely going to be used for that purpose", Mr Sakah directed.

The 210 metric tons of fish upon more physical inspection by the Port Health authorities was declared unwholesome due to the stench from it. However, The Crusading Guide after uncovering this scam has picked up signals that Antwi Bempong and Seth Ayim are up to another fraud.

Our sources have hinted us that when The Crusading Guide got this report and left their offices, they went back to strike another deal with the AFKOFISH to help them sell their rotten fish to innocent consumers.