The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, to refrain from politicizing the closed fishing season for canoe and artisanal fisherfolk.
This appeal comes in the wake of Mahama’s recent promise to exempt artisanal fishermen from the closed season if he wins the upcoming December 7 elections.
During a media briefing after a stakeholder engagement in Accra, Hawa Koomson emphasized that the fishing community stands to lose significant benefits if the policy is politicized.
She asserted that the closed season is a critical conservation measure and a legal mandate established during the NDC's previous administration, which Mahama himself once led.
“I hear the former president going around to say that when he comes back, he is going to abolish the closed season. I let them [the fishermen] know that it is a law. So I did not even create it. It was the NDC that made the law. And they observed it in 2016,” Hawa Koomson remarked.
“I am only continuing what is there because it has become a policy. I want to plead with the former president that he has been in the seat before and he is a former president. When he is before the people and making utterances, he should be very careful because things that you cannot do, you don’t promise them.”
Mavis Hawa Koomson’s comments highlight the ongoing debate over the closed fishing season, which is designed to replenish fish stocks and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
The policy, initiated under the NDC government, mandates a temporary halt to fishing activities by canoe and artisanal fisherfolk to allow fish populations to recover.
Mr. Mahama’s pledge to abolish the closed season has stirred controversy, with critics arguing that such a move could undermine years of efforts to protect marine resources.
Supporters of the policy, including current government officials, stress its importance for the long-term viability of the fishing industry and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.
In response to Hawa Koomson’s remarks, representatives of the NDC have defended Mahama’s position, stating that the concerns of artisanal fishermen should be addressed through more flexible and community-centered approaches.
They argue that the current implementation of the closed season disproportionately impacts small-scale fishermen, who struggle to make ends meet during the enforced downtime.
As the December elections approach, the future of Ghana’s fisheries policy has become a key issue in the political arena. Both parties are vying for the support of the fishing communities, whose votes could prove pivotal in the upcoming polls.
This debate underscores the broader challenge of balancing environmental conservation with the economic needs of local communities, a topic that continues to resonate with voters across the nation.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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