President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that traditional rulers along the coastal belt of Ghana have seen benefits from the ban placed on fishing activities.

The government in August and September this year placed a ban on all fishing activities.

The ‘closed season’, according to the fisheries ministry, was to save some species of fish such as mackerel, anchovies, and others that are going extinct in the country’s waters due to poor fishing practices.

The ministry further explained that it was also to allow all fish, in general, to breed so as to increase their population and spur bumper harvest for the fisherfolk.

Presenting 6,336 outboard motors and other fishing equipment to the fisherfolk on Tuesday, 3 December 2019 on the second day of his three-day tour of the Greater Accra Region, President Akufo-Addo indicated that this is the first batch of outboard motors, out of a total of 10,000, to be distributed to fisherfolk at subsidised prices.

Thanking the fisherfolk in the country for adhering to the closed season, the President indicated that: “I am also happy to hear that the leaders and citizens appreciate the work that the government is doing.”

He continued, “I have been informed that the traditional priests (Wulomei), themselves, have asked that another month be added to the closed season for artisanal fishermen, and for the trawlers, two more months. They, themselves, have seen the benefits of the closed season, so, I will also like to ask that you also put a stop to the practice of light fishing. This way, we will really be able to see some progress.”