Fisherman gets help

Accra, Sept. 12, GNA - The National Fishermen Association of Ghana and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Friday donated fishing gears worth 33 million cedis to a fisherman whose gears were burnt. The gears included four pieces of nylon netting, 40 coils of nylon ropes and 60 pieces of nylon mending twine.

Mr Terry Akoto, 47, a Fisherman from Anloga in the Volta Region, had his fishing gears valued at about 200 million cedis destroyed by an unknown arsonist about three months ago.

The donation was in response to Mr Akoto's request to the National Fishermen Association of Ghana, of which he is a member, to assist him with inputs to enable him to continue to offer employment for his 30 employees.

Mr Eddie Akita, Minister of State for Fisheries, said the gesture was to demonstrate the Ministry's unflinching support to fishermen and women and it was equally important for fishermen to insure their ventures.

He said Mr Akoto could have been taken care of and his lost could have been replaced if he had insured his fishing business. Mr Akita said the donation was also to correct the notion that the Ministry was insensitive to issues affecting fishermen.

He encouraged all farmers and fishermen to take advantage of insurance packages since fishing was a risky business.

Mr Akoto thanked the NFAG and the Ministry for the assistance and promised that the items would be used to the country's benefit.