Government says children of fishermen to enjoy scholarship scheme
The Minister of Fisheries and Acquah Culture, Madam Sherry Ayitey says government has commenced moves to institute a scholarship scheme for the children of fishermen.
According to the Minister the move formed part of the efforts being made to reduce the cost of education and also help to bring down drastically school dropouts in the fishing communities.
Madam Ayitey made this known when she addressed fishermen and fishmongers from five communities in the Gomoa West District at Apam in the Central Region.
She said the scheme would go a long way to assist their up- springs to purse higher education to enable them become doctors, lawyers, engineers to better their lot.
The communities were Apam, Mumford, Gomoa Dago, Mankwadzi and Gomoa Akyemfo.
The Minister distributed a total of 55 outboard motors to fishermen at subsidised prices made up of 40 Yamaha and 15 Suzuki brands.
She said each beneficiary is to make outright payment of GH¢6,000 as deposit, whilst the government would bear the additional GH¢4,000 making the total cost of GH¢10,000 for each outboard motor.
In addition, the fishmongers received 50 pieces of trays free of charge to help them carry their loads of fish to their smoking sites, whilst 15 bundles of smoking wire mesh were also distributed to assist them in smoking their produce.
Madam Ayitey expressed happiness that works would begin on the proposed landing beach at Mumford, which would be a size of mini harbor.
She said a life insurance policy would be launched for all fishermen and fishmongers and advised them to register when it is launched.
The Chief of Apam, Nana Effrim X, who Chaired the Function, commended the Italian Government for supporting fishing activities in the Gomoa West District.
He called for more of such projects to improve the lives of the people in the fishing communities.
Mr Theophilus Adu Mensah, District Chief Executive urged the fishermen and fishmongers to take advantage of the scholarship scheme and send their children to school.
A delegation from Italy accompanied the Minister to make feasibility studies about the proposed landing beach.
Source: GNA