Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture has said government is committed to improving the productivity of the fisheries sector to comparable levels as other agricultural sectors.

He said this when presenting 50 Yamaha outboard motors to fishermen in the Western Region under a government package to provide inputs and equipment to fishermen at Sekondi.

The beneficiary fishermen were drawn from Shama, Aboadze, New Takoradi, Ngyrrisia, Lower Axim, Apewosika, Miamia, Akwedae, Princess Akatakyie, Butri, Funko, Adjoa and New Amanful.

Mr. Ahwoi said the government has put in place various interventions to address operational problems of fishermen, and that contrary to some opinions these interventions have not politicised.

He said 800 outboard motors have been bought and 160 of them have been earmarked for the Western Region and asked fishermen in the region who have not received theirs to exercise patience.

He said each outboard motor cost GH?7,800 but Government was distributing them at GH?4,900 a piece.

Mr. Ahwoi said fishermen in the Greater Accra, Volta and Eastern Regions as well inland fishermen in other areas would also benefit from the outboard motors.**