Fish processors at European Town in Sekondi are calling for an urgent intervention to remove alleged criminals from the area to improve their security.
They complain of incessant robberies which make the place unsafe for them.
Maame Kofua processes fish at M’anntsi M’annkabi, a suburb of European Town in Sekondi. Maame Kofua is originally from Dwoma (Manford)in the Central Region. Like most of her colleagues here, she has come from another fishing community along the coast just to work.
Their accommodation at M’anntsi M’annkabi can be likened to a hostel. Their work is mainly smoking and drying of fish they buy mainly at the Albert Bosomtwe Sam Fishing Harbor after which they sell at the market centers. Maame Kofua is a widow with five children.
It is this business that sustains her family. From buying the fish and cleaning to processing, every member of the family plays a role. Unfortunately, all is not well here. She complains of being disturbed by “criminal elements” who live in the ghettos which have sprung up in the community. According to her, they are also mostly strangers who have been sacked from their communities.
“Those criminals are really worrying us. We are strangers here and it’s impossible to keep all our belongings in the room. You know we can’t even keep the fish in the rooms. When they come around, they loot everything, our fish and working tools.”
She says they rely on loans for the business so the impact is dire.
“I have taken a loan of 10,000 cedis and I am required to pay 550 cedis each week so I am compelled to work harder in order to meet the deadlines. When I don’t get fish to buy at the shores, I have to go to the cold store to buy which is more expensive”, she said.
Almost every woman here has a bad experience with the criminals to share.
“We live in fear because we are always afraid of being robbed so we are unable sleep”, says Esi Akroma
“So the leaders of Sekondi, Nana Kobina Nketsia, we beg you, help us. This town belongs to you. We are only strangers here to work. Now it is dangerous to walk around from 9:00pm”, Mena Bassaw added.
Maame Kofua says these alleged criminals live in ghettos behind the fish smoking sheds and they strike at the least chance. They are calling on the traditional and community leaders to urgently intervene as their livelihood is under threat.
SDG 8 emphasizes the need for productive employment and decent work for all, underlining that livelihoods should not only provide survival but also dignity and fairness.
It is hoped that the necessary interventions can be quickly made so Maame Kofua and her colleagues can feel safe to work in peace.
The post Fish processors in Sekondi call for protection against criminals first appeared on 3News.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS