Shama, Jan 26, GNA - Four out of five Landing Beach Committees formed in five fishing communities in the Shama District of the Western Region to manage premix fuel allocated to fishermen in the area have in five months realised surpluses ranging between GHC19, 619.50 and GHC1, 600. They are Abuesi fishermen who realised GHC19, 619.50, Aboadze GHC10, 077, Kase Wo Kan GHC7, 600 and Apo had GHC1, 600 while those of Bentsir are yet to declare their surpluses.

The committees declared their surpluses at forums organised for them by the Shama District Assembly to enable them render accounts publicly to the communities to ensure transparency.

Mad Emelia Arthur, the Shama District Chief Executive, said in line with government directives, 53 percent of the surpluses would be given to the communities to undertake development projects which should be discussed by the chiefs, assembly members, unit committees and opinion leaders. Madam Arthur said landing committees had been made to render their stewardship to the communities to ensure accountability, transparency, and good governance to avoid a situation where one person or group of people would pocket the proceeds and this would be done every six months. Concerns raised by the fishermen and some of the communities during open forums include sand winning along the beaches which is degrading the environment, illegal collection of monies termed as "gari fee" before being served with the premix fuel and the continued use of lighting for fishing among others.

Madam Arthur immediately ordered the fishermen to stop the collection of the "gari fee" and warned that anybody found winning sand along the beach would be dealt with according to the law. 26 Jan 10