Regional News of Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Source: GNA

Tarkwa-Nsueam fish farmers appeal completion of cold store

Fish farmers in the Tarkwa-Nsueam Municipality and adjoining districts in the Western Region, have appealed to the government to fast-track the completion of an abandoned cold store project in the area.

According to them, the project started in 2007 and the European Union offered GH¢ 6000.00 financial support but it was not completed it and was abandoned.

This, has resulted post-harvest losses.

The fish farmers made this known when the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Madam Sherry Ayittey paid a working visit to the Municipality.

The Minister interacted with the farmers who were drawn from Wassa Amenfi West, Tarkwa-Nsueam, Wassa Amenfi East, Prestea Huni/Valley and Amenfi Central and discussed some challenges affecting their business.

The farmers also mentioned lack of funding, training and logistics as some challenges confronting the fish farming enterprise.

Madam Ayittey gave the assurance that her outfit would provide funding to complete the cold store project.

She said training programmes would be organised for them, in order to equip them on the best fishing practices so as to increase yield.

The Minister announced that the Ministry in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation would produce about 10,000 fingerlings for local fish farmers by the end of the year, and asked them to collaborate with the Ministry to achieve the target.