The Deputy Minister of Agriculture in charge of Fisheries Nii Amasa Namoale has expressed surprise at the demand by fishermen that government should lift the ban on using flash lights to fish at night.
Hundreds of fishermen in Elmina Thursday afternoon blocked the road linking Cape Coast and Takoradi to press home their demand.
Police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators giving way to a free flow of traffic on the Takoradi-Cape Coast road.
But the Deputy Minister told Joy News enough sensitization has been done to educate the fisherfolks on the dangers of using flash light in fishing, and was therefore stunned the people do not want to compromise now that the law is being enforced.
“We had education, I met with the fishermen, I met with the chief fisherman, I met with the landing beach committee members, I met with stakeholders and everybody to educate them on the law on the need to preserve our marine resources.”
He said the few people who had issues with the law argued that it is a new technology that could be utilized to boost harvest.
“The whole of Ghana has come together to promulgate this law to make sure we leave an inheritance for our children and our children’s children…if we allow all the fishermen to use these nefarious activities to catch fish, I am telling you that within six months we will deplete our marine resources.”
He noted that using light in fishing has been banned everywhere, indicating government’s unwillingness to changed the law.
Corporal Raymond Asaba, Public Relations Officer of the Central Regional police told Joy News four persons were arrested and placed in custody for various roles they played in the demonstration.
He said they would be charged for unlawful demonstration, blocking the road and causing damage to property.
