THE MINISTRY of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has distributed about 690 outboard motors to five fishing communities across the country at subsidized prices.

Kwesi Ahwoi, the sector minister, said this when he presented 95 of the Yamaha outboard motors to some fisher folks at the Tema Newtown Landing Beach Site.

He mentioned that each of the outboard motors had been subsidized and was supposed to be sold at GH¢4,900 instead of GH¢8,000.

He also noted that fishing communities in the Greater Accra, Western, Central and Volta regions were recipients of the outboard motors, noting that each community was allocated 139,160, 165, 100 and 126 outboard motors respectively.

The minister further stated that his outfit had negotiated with MASLOC for the supply of fishing equipment aside some 800 fishing inputs which were due to arrive in the country before the end of the year.

He commended the Tema Chief Fisherman, Adjierteh Mator, and is team for taking the initiative to import fishing nets from abroad for sale to their members at a reduced price, which according to the minister would go a long way to ease dependence on government.

Mr. Ahwoi implored the Tema mayor to search for a land to put up a fishing mall which would be owned by the fishermen, where varieties of fishing equipment would be put on sale.

He said the government had put in place various interventions to address operational problems of fishermen, noting that government would not interfere in the trading of fishing gears.

Adjierteh Mator, Tema Chief Fisherman who received the outboard motors on behalf of his team, commended the minister and government for honouring its promise to fishermen.