Accra, July 13, GNA - Government is to construct standardised landing sites and icing centres for 14 fishing communities in the country. Some of the communities are Jamestown, Dixcove, Ada, Winneba, Axim, Gomoa Ketu and Senya Breku.

Interacting with women in the fishing industry in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Mike Akyeampong, Chairman of Fisheries Commission appealed to the women to keep abreast with laws governing their operations in the country. "I would urge you not to purchase fish caught with the use of dynamite, or use of torch lights since these acts are against the rules governing fishing in the country," he said.

Mr Akyeampong noted that although Ghanaians consumed about 8,820 metric tons of fish in a year, only 4,420 metric tons was produced and urged the fisher folks to complement government's effort in ensuring the nation achieved its target of fish production. He said Parliament would soon pass the Fisheries Act of 2010 to take care of new rules and regulations governing fishing in the country. "Some of these new rules would involve the registration of all vessels and canoes operating in the communities and country as a whole," he added.

Madam Lydia Sasu, Executive Director of Development Action Association (DAA), an NGO, which caters for women in the fishing industry appealed to government to periodically invite women in the fishing industry for a forum to enable them articulate their concerns. "We would be happy if government would include a woman on the Fisheries Commission," she added. The forum organised by DAA was attended by about 80 women from 15 fishing communities involved in the processing, storage and marketing of fish. They were from Tema, Chorkor, Ningo, Bortianor, Kokrobite all in Greater Accra Region, Keta in Volta Region and Yeji in Brong Ahafo Region.