Women fish processors in Keta, in the Volta region, and other coastal areas are pleading for help as illegal fishing and fuel shortages threaten their livelihoods.
These women, whose lives revolve around fish processing, have turned to the incoming Vice President, Prof. Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, to intervene and address the issues they face daily.
Illegal fishing practices by foreign trawlers have pushed many to the brink. These trawlers, often crossing into restricted areas even during the closed fishing season, leave local fishermen with almost nothing to catch.
Rita Esinu, Deputy Women Coordinator of the Keta District Canoe Fishermen and Fishing Owners Association, shared the pain of watching these violations continue unchecked.
“During the closed season, these trawlers come beyond the boundaries they are supposed to respect. This affects our business because there are no fish for the local fishermen to catch,” she said.
Fuel shortages are another burden. Pre-mixed fuel, essential for fishermen, is often unavailable at landing beaches, leaving them stranded or forced to buy expensive alternatives.
Ruby Adepo, Chairperson of the Keta Fish Processors Association, described how this crisis has upended their trade.
“The pre-mixed fuel is supposed to be for fishermen, but party members come to the landing beaches, take control of it, and limit access for the actual fishermen,” she lamented.
These challenges have devastated a once-thriving trade. Many women recall a time when fish processors were respected and financially secure. Now, they struggle to make ends meet, buying fish at inflated prices because of the costs fishermen incur.
Ruby expressed the frustration of watching their livelihoods slip away. “In the past, a fish processor could become a wealthy woman through her trade, but now, we are barely surviving because of these challenges.”
The women shared these concerns during an interview on JoyNews, closely monitored by The High Street Journal. They are hopeful that Professor Opoku-Agyemang will hear their cries and act.
They believe that enforcing fishing regulations, driving out illegal trawlers, and ensuring access to pre-mixed fuel could restore their businesses and give them a chance to rebuild.
“We hope that help will come soon, especially from the incoming Vice President, to save our livelihoods and allow us to thrive once again,” Ruby concluded.
