Chief calls for fishing school at Kpando Torkor

Togbe Komla Teng V, Chief of Kpando Aloyi, has appealed to government to consider the establishment of a “Fishing School” at Kpando-Torkor to equip young people with sustainable fishing skills.

He said such an institution would help explain government’s policies on fishing to players in the industry and make fishermen “professionals”.

Togbe Komla Teng made the appeal at the launch of “Far Ban Bo” – (Protecting fisheries livelihood) project aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries resources management towards food security.

The four year fisheries governance project, with funding from the European Union is being implemented by three non-governmental organizations-CARE, Oxfam and Friends of the Nation.

Togbe Komla Teng said it was time government and other stakeholders positioned the sector as a “serious industry and not relegated to illiterates.”

He welcomed the project and stressed the need to upgrade the skills and knowledge of local fishermen on sustainable fishing practices and called for artificial insemination to increase fingerlings in the Volta Lake

Mr Elvis Gyampo, Kpando Municipal Chief Executive, said the establishment of a fishing school in the area would create professionals in the industry and pledged the support of the Assembly.

He said the Assembly would ensure that laws and regulations on fishing were enforced for the success of the project.

Mr Donkris Mevuta, Executive Director, Friends of the Nation, noted that the use of unsustainable and harmful fishing methods were contributing to over fishing and degradation of critical fisheries habitats and expressed the hope that the project would address challenges in the sector.

Source: GNA