Elmina, July 11, GNA- The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) will form a subsidiary oil company to be solely responsible for the distribution of premix fuel to fishermen in the country to eliminate unscrupulous middlemen from the system.

The TOR has additionally directed that all fishermen who were supplied with adulterated premix fuel some months ago, should be paid back their money while stringent measures are taken to prevent any further incidents.

Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong, Chief Executive of the TOR, on Tuesday announced these at the Central Regional fishermen's awards day. It was organized by the Regional premix committee, under the auspices of the Regional Coordinating Council, at Komenda in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District.

He pledged TOR's preparedness to supply fishermen in the country with adequate premix fuel and at the appropriate time. Opanyin Kobina Ebow Ankomah, 48, a fisherman from Moree, near Cape Coast, was adjudged the best fisherman in the Region. He received an outboard motor worth GH=A22,500 (25 Million cedis) provided by TOR and a certificate of merit as her prize and in addition would be sponsored by TOR to study modern fishing techniques in an undisclosed country.

Nana Kaikwei, Chief fisherman of Apam, who emerged the best Chief fisherman in the region, was given a royal stool, a quantity of fishing nets and wire nets and a certificate of merit, as his prize. Nana Tsetsewa, from Cape Coast, was adjudged the best fishmonger in the region and he received a quantity of wire nets, washing basins, 10 fish smoking racks and a certificate of merit, as her prize. The premix committee at Elmina, which emerged the best organized committee received GH A2500 (5 million cedis) and a certificate of merit as its prize.

In all, 105 people engaged in fishing in the various communities of the region were honoured with prizes ranging from fishing nets, life jackets, fish-smoking racks, fishing ropes, cash and clocks.

Nana Ato Arthur, the Regional Minister, cautioned the fishermen to refrain from engaging in illegal activities, such as aiding cocaine smugglers.

He reminded the fishermen that the Government subsidized premix fuel being supplied to them and warned them against diverting the product to non-fishermen to create shortages. Nana Arthur announced that they were being honoured with part of the profit realized from the sale of premix fuel during the last fishing season, and that an amount of GH A2 20,000 (200 million cedis) was used for the purpose.

He urged the fishermen to emulate the example of fishermen in Elmina, who have awarded bursaries to 10 children with funds from profit made from the sale of premix fuel.

Nana Arthur urged district assemblies to support fishermen to boost the fishing industry.

Nana Arthur commended TOR for regularly supplying premix fuel to fishermen in the region to enhance their work.

Mr. George Frank Asmah, the District Chief Executive of KEEA, stated that the Government was determined to assist fishermen in the country to enable them to effectively contribute to development. According to him, the premix fuel business was profitable and could be used to promote the welfare of all fishermen when handled judiciously.

He called on the fishermen to take a cue from the work of the Elmina premix fuel committee, which was able to realize a profit about 4,200 Ghana cedis (42.7 million cedis) within a period of six months. Nana Amoako Essel, chief fisherman of Abandze, said the frequent increase in the price of premix fuel was adversely affecting the work of fishermen and appealed to government to address the issue.

He also appealed to government to sponsor fishermen for courses in modern fishing techniques to equip them with better skills to increase their output.

Nana Essel advised fishermen to send their children to school to enable them to acquire skills and knowledge required for national development.

Nana Kojo Kruwa, Omanhen of Komenda Traditional Area, advised fishermen to conduct their business within the confines of the law and not to do anything that would mar their reputation.