A GhanaWeb documentary has shed light on some of the underlying causes of the growing trend of young girls being exploited in fishing communities.

Speaking to GhanaWeb’s Etsey Atisu, who investigated the documentary titled, Sex for Fish, the Mayor of Cape Coast, George Justice Arthur, identified parental neglect as a major factor for this problem.

According to him, many parents fail to take responsibility for the upkeep of their daughters, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation in exchange for things like fish.

Having grown up at Ntsin, the fishing community in Cape Coast that formed the focus of this documentary, he admitted that the situation is one that is widespread.

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The mayor further highlighted poor living conditions as a major contributor.

“If you have a room where 20 or 10 people are sleeping, it doesn’t give the parents that needed attention towards their wards. They will go out without even recognising their wards are out. But what is so troubling is that when their wards are back, they ask if they have money on them,” he indicated.

The mayor further expressed worry about how this practice has forced many young girls out of school, compelling them to fend for themselves and, in some cases, care for babies born out of such relationships.

He called for stronger community involvement and parental responsibility to protect young girls and secure their futures.

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Watch the full documentary below:





MRA/AE