Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the wife of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, has assured the fishing community that a Nana Akufo-Addo led NPP government will revamp the fisheries industry and put it back on the path of accelerated growth.

Speaking to fishermen and fishmongers at Jigg Shore Waterland in the Tema East constituency of the Greater Accra region, Mrs.Akufo-Addo said the high cost of fishing equipment and pre-mix fuel which is often unavailable, has negatively affected the fishing industry.

Citing outboard motors as an example, Mrs. Akufo-Addo said the astronomical increase in its price from Gh¢2000, under President Kufuor and the NPP, to over Gh¢10,000 under President John Mahama and the NDC meant very few could afford the machine to enhance their fishing trade.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo, who was accompanied by the NPP Member of Parliament for Tema East, Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, and other national and constituency party officials, also lamented the high cost of electricity bills, which had increased the cost of fish storage, making the product expensive on the market, unaffordable to the ordinary person, and further eroding the little revenue of the fishing community.

She assured them that her husband and flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a business-friendly person who recognises the urgent need to revamp and empower the private sector, especially the fishing industry, to create jobs and bring prosperity to the people.

She said an Akufo-Addo-led NPP government will not make the supply of fishing equipment, access to subsidised pre-mix fuel, and access to affordable cold storage facilities and subsidised outboard motors, a once-in-four-year election gimmick.

“The NPP”, she said, “will support the fishing community throughout the period not because we want their votes, but because they are an important sector to the country’s economy and social development.”

Mrs. Akufo-Addo emphasised that as an indigene of the fishing community, she appreciated very much the challenges faced in the fisheries sector, and assured them that their concerns will always be her priority.

On his part, NPP Member of Parliament for Tema East, Glover asked the people to be wary of corrupt politicians who have ignored them over the past four years, but who will surface close to elections, bearing gifts and monies to influence their electoral choice.

“They did the same thing in 2012, sharing monies and freebies everywhere. After the elections, President Mahama told us the meat has been chewed right down to the bone. If we make the mistake of voting for them again, because of monies they will share close to elections, then they will tell us this time that even the bone is finished, and you and I will be the ones to suffer”.

He urged the people to rally behind Nana Addo Dankwa and the New Patriotic Party, by voting massively for the party and making sure that the declared results are indeed a reflection of the choice of the people.