Fishing sector stakeholders applauded the government’s plan to digitise the supply and distribution of premix fuel in the country.
The goal of the policy is to limit the diversion and hoarding of the subsidised petroleum product used by artisanal fishermen in the marine and inland sectors to fuel their outboard motors for fishing trips.
A trial initiative has already begun in Nungua, Greater Accra Region, with fisherman and canoe owners registered and given electronic cards with which to purchase the merchandise.
President of the Ghana Inshore Fishermen Association, Joseph Nii Armah Quaye, expressed his delight at the move on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, on Tuesday.
According to him, under the fully automated premix fuel digitization scheme, fishermen will be forced to purchase premix fuel using canoe identity cards.
This, Mr Quaye continued, will promote openness and prevent leakages in the premix fuel trade by intermediaries, most of whom are affiliated with political parties.
According to the President of the Ghana Inshore Fishermen Association, the fishing sector is on the verge of collapse owing to the actions of these middlemen who sell premix gasoline to fishermen at excessive prices.
“I commend Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, for ensuring that we get the premix fuel for fishing,” he said.
Mr Quaye stated that the pilot will begin with 50 landing beaches before expanding to all 200 around the country.
However, John Quayson, a fisherman from Elmina in the Central area known as Maanoma, was sceptical about the project’s potential.
Even at the pilot level, he claims, premix is being smuggled and sold to people who are not fishers.
According to Maanoma, digitising the supply and distribution of premix gasoline would fail unless all loopholes are closed.
