The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in consultation with the relevant stakeholders has evolved modalities for the setting up of standardized premix filling stations with full safety gadgets in place.

Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, the Sector Minister who announced this on Tuesday, said the state of the nation’s emergency preparedness was appalling and described it as “very sad”, stressing that it needed urgent attention.

He said this in relation to the explosion at a premix fuel dump at Axim about two weeks ago, which killed four persons and injured 29 others.

Mr. Ahwoi made the announcement when he presented 144 outboard motors on behalf of the Ministry at a subsidised price of GH¢4,900 as against GH¢8,000 on the local market, to ‘landing beach fishermen’ in the Central Region at Cape Coast.

He said landing beaches would be required to conform to the set standards or be refused licenses to operate.

He urged members of the various landing beach committees to purchase their own equipment as groups to ease that burden on the Government and also reap the full benefits of the profits to be accrued.

The Minister said MoFA had acquired a loan from the Indian Government for the construction of a fishing mall at Elmina very soon.

Mr. Kwaku Nicole, Chairman of the National Premix Committee, urged the fishermen to make payments promptly in order to benefit from subsequent items such as fishing nets and other inputs.

Mrs. Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Central Regional Minister, stated that the Mills Administration had their welfare at heart, therefore, they should support for the Government to fully implement all its plans for them.**