Budumburam (C/R), June 21, GNA - Fifty Liberians refugees have been trained in aquaculture to enable them to engage in fish farming as a source of income when they return home.

The 10-day training programme supported with 120 million cedis from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Fund was facilitated by the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and NEPAD.

Presenting certificates to the trainees at the Buduburam Refugee Camp in the Central Region on Thursday, Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister for Fisheries, said the Ministry upon request from the Liberian Embassy in Ghana sponsored the refugees to benefit from the training, which was part of an on-going programme in aquaculture for the youth. She said the refugees were transported to Kuma Farms Complex at Domebra, near Kumasi, for the training, which ended last month. Mrs Asmah said the trainees would be expected to impart the knowledge gained in the practice to their fellow citizens while those with certificates in agriculture would join the Liberian Education Service to teach aquaculture in various schools. According to the Minister, a technical team had been set up within the Ministry to follow-up on their work when they returned to Liberia to ensure that their practice conformed to required standards. She said the Ministry had commenced disbursing funds and inputs on credit to the trainees for the construction, stocking and management of their farms and appealed to donor agencies to also assist the trainees with more funds.

Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Deputy Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and NEPAD, said her Ministry opted to support the programme in the spirit of solidarity and regional cooperation that would enable the trainees to generate some income. She expressed the hope that the support would further deepen the relations between Ghana and Liberia.

Mr. Rudolph Von Balmoos, Liberian Ambassador to Ghana, expressed gratitude to Government for the training and the warm hospitality Liberians had enjoyed in the country. On behalf of the refugees, Neewili Harrison Wondy commended the two ministries for the support, saying, "the training has given us another opportunity to enable us to make a living after all the conflicts in our country".

He appealed to the Liberian Government to create a portfolio for Fisheries and appealed for further training in business management that would help them manage their businesses well. TMA/REA