The Minister-Designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has pledged to take measures to resolve the European Union’s issues relating to unlawful fishing practices, which led to Ghana being issued a “Yellow Card.”
Showing earlier than Parliament’s Appointments Committee, she indicated that actions could be applied to handle the problem, which might embody proposals to amend the Fisheries Act (Act 625).
She famous that the present laws within the nation insufficiently covers inland fisheries and aquaculture, each of which have been important for aligning Ghana’s fisheries laws with the European Union’s requirements and adhering to worldwide greatest practices. This example underscores the need to revise the fisheries act to revive compliance.
Ms Arthur stated the Yellow Card had a substantial impact on industrial fishers who export roughly $400 million in tuna to the European Union annually.
She emphasised the need for immediate motion to sort out this matter with a purpose to safeguard the business and keep Ghana’s overseas alternate revenues.
“The Yellow Card impacts particularly the economic fishers who catch and export tuna, which brings in some huge cash, almost $400 million to Ghana. So, we now have to do the correct issues in order that the commerce will go on for the overseas alternate to come back,” she said.
The nominee indicated that the brand new authorities would additionally sort out the longstanding points associated to the availability and management of premix, which have been problematic.
The evaluate she stated would give attention to the frequency of provide and pricing with a purpose to improve the general availability.
The touchdown seashore committees, she stated have been anticipated to utilise the revenue margin from the sale of premix for the event of their communities including that “This has not occurred.”
She emphasised that the 53 per cent revenue ought to have been allotted in the direction of community growth initiatives and the development of colleges, in addition to Group-based Well being Planning and Companies (CHPS) to assist the government’s efforts.
The Minister-designate additionally assured of leveraging technologies via the establishment of the Blue financial system to fight corruption within the distribution of the premix to sustainably harness and regulate marine and freshwater sources.
BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU.
