Regional News of Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Source: GNA

Volta prepares for National Fish Festival

File photo File photo

The Volta Region has begun preparations towards hosting the second national fish festival this year.

In line with this, an Eight-Member Planning Committee, under the chairmanship of Captain George Nfodjo, (rtd), a former Member of Parliament for Ho Central, has been tasked to put the event together in three months.

Madam Sherry Ayittey, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, who inaugurated the Committee at Adidome, in the Central Tongu District, said the festival was aimed at celebrating the efforts of fishermen and appreciating roles of women in the fishing industry.

She said fishery resources supported a large proportion of the citizenry and underscored investing and celebrating the actors in the sector.

Madam Ayittey announced scholarship schemes for children of fishermen and an insurance package for fishermen and reiterated Government’s commitment to the sector.

Capt. Nfodjo said the festival would unearth the aquaculture potentials of the Volta Region.

Madam Mary Agbenyenu, the Central Tongu District Chief Executive, appealed for seedlings and farm implements for fishermen and fishmongers who were into vegetable farming as well, to supplement their fishing activities.

The Ministry earlier gave fishmongers in the District aluminium pans and wire-meshes to support their activities.

The Volta Lake is said to hold a lot of fish species. The lake is exploited by 130,000 fishermen operating some 13,000 canoes and living in riparian fishing communities in 13 districts in the Volta Region.