From Alfred Adams
The Chief Fisherman and colleagues of Ankobra, a coastal community in the Ellembelle District, are seething with rage and anger over his being sidelined from serving on the Landing Beach Committee (LBC), which supervises the sale of premix fuel in the area.
The neglect of the Chief Fisherman has led to questions about the intent of the formation of the LBC in Ankobra some six years ago. The LBC was formed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, who is also the Minister for Energy and Petroleum.
The composition of the LBC has the Chief Fisherman as Chairman, a representative of the fishermen, a representative of the Canoe Owners Association, a representative of fishmonger, and a representative of the District Chief Executive (DCE) among others.
But in the case of the Ankobra LBC, the story is different, as those serving on the Committee are reported to be working for their personal interests.
The Chief Fishermen of Ankobra, Nana John McCarthy, who spoke in an interview with Kyzz FM, a local radio station in Takoradi, confirmed that since the LBC was formed some six years ago, he had not been given the opportunity to serve on it, though he was the Chief Fisherman and was mandated to chaired it, per the regulations.
According to him, two persons, one who he mentioned as Ewube, had hijacked the proceeds of the sale of the premix fuel and were feeding fat it. The two, he believed, were being shielded by some politicians, as a result, they the premix at a cost favourable to them, instead of the normal price.
He said the two had succeeded in ballooning and inflating the sale of the commodity without anyone querying them, adding that premix fuel should be sold at GH¢370 a drum. However, those behind the sale were selling the commodity to them (fishermen) at around GH¢800. “The least they will sell the commodity to you is GH¢700 a drum.”
According to the Chief Fisherman, they had reported the conduct of the two persons to the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, but no concrete action since been taken.
Nana McCarthy told the radio station that they (fishermen) had given themselves up to the end of the month to see changes in the formation of the LBC. “If by the end of the month there are no changes, we shall advice ourselves.”