Tension brews in Anyako over unlawful use of fishing nets

By Emmanuel Agbaxode, GNA

Anyako (V/R), Nov. 12, GNA - There is mounting tension between some fisher folks at Anyako in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region over what the assembly member for the area, Mr. Wilson Kofi Bonuedi described as “completely illegal and unlawful” use of banned fishing nets in the area.

Residents say the rising tension was attributed to the seizure of some nets and how some fishermen were restricted from carrying out their fishing expedition in the lagoon.

Mr. Wilson Bonuedi, who doubles as the presiding member of the Keta Municipal assembly, at a meeting with some fishermen at Anyako on Sunday Nov. 10, explained that the impounded nets popularly called in the local parlance as “Kponika or Wortsa” that are currently in the custody of the Abor Police were banned by the Municipal assembly some years ago under section 19 of the Municipal assembly Bye-Law.

“Law is law so we are going to discipline those involved, and I believe the law would work. I have received numerous reports about this practice and there must be an end to it.” He said.

Mr. Benuedi also indicated that, the nature of the unauthorised nets was causing harm to the lagoon since it cleared everything during fishing.

However, the aggrieved fisher folks calling themselves “Anyako Fishermen Association” in a petition signed by the interim chairman, Felix Yao Nutor Zebey, called on the government and all related authorities to respond to their concerns since the assembly member for the area was not ready to bring both parties together for a lasting solution to the matter.

The group also explained that, they do not use chemicals such as DDT, dynamite, gelignite or other explosive substance for fishing.

“We would like to use this medium to ask what constitute an illegality. Almost every fisherman in this environment uses the same net size.”

The net size is three-quarters, which is what most of the fishermen use in their fishing work so something urgent needs to be done to forestall any suffering since this is our only source of livelihood.” The statement reads.

The petitioners said they cherished the prevailing peace in the area and therefore, expected the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the area, Mr. Godwin Effah Edudzi and officials from the fisheries department to expedite action by educating them on the rightful fishing nets to be used.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Keta, Mr. Godwin Edudzi  Effah, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the brouhaha, disclosed that a meeting would be held with all the parties involved together with technical men from the fisheries ministry to determine the prescribed net type to be used in the lagoon.

He again asked both parties to exercise patience as they quickly respond to their issues.

Present at the meeting were personnel from the Ghana Police service, unit committee members, aspiring assembly members for Anyako electoral area, residents from all the towns under anyako including; Kpota and Konu and some opinion leaders.

The meeting which was held at the palace of Torgbui Tengey Dzokoto VI, however ended inconclusively due to misunderstanding that ensued from both factions present at the meeting.

GNA

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