Mumford (C/R), Jan. 16, GNA - Mr Kow Kotu, 44, 2003 National Best Fisherman has expressed gratitude to the government and the entire nation for the honour done him.

Mr Kotu, who received a double cabin pick-up and air ticket for an overseas tour as his prize said the honour had encouraged him not only to expand his business but also to use his expertise to train the youth who would want to take fishing as a career.

Speaking to Ghana News Agency at Mumford, the National Best Fisherman advised fishermen to work harder since their had work would be recognized.

He cautioned them against the use of unapproved methods of fishing, explaining that if they over-exploited the available water bodies through the use of bad fishing methods they would destroy the industry. Mr Kotu appealed to the government to rehabilitate the road leading to the beach at Mumford saying the state of the road was so bad that fuel tankers found it difficult to go and discharge fuel at the beach for the use of the fishermen.

He also appealed to Gomoa District Assembly to help them to erect a shed at the beach for the use of fishmongers and people who went to the place.

Mr Kotu said the fishermen had contributed to procure 100 asbestos roofing sheets and some woods for the project and said they would need about 200 extra roofing sheets and 600 bags of cement to carry the project through.

He urged the government to provide the town with a good landing port for their vessels saying that, due to bad nature of the beach rocks destroyed a number of their vessels each year.

He appealed to the government to remove middlemen from the sale of fishing gears by channelling their sales through chief fishermen or their representatives to make the prices affordable.

Mr E. E. Adoko, Chairman of the Mumford Town Council appealed to the government to provide the town with a cold storage facility to prevent post harvest losses. 16 Jan. 04.