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AGRICULTURE

Minister assured NAFPTA of financial support

It was all joy for members of the National Fish Processors and Traders Association, NAFPTA when the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye announced to them that their long awaited soft loan will soon be disbursed.

Date Created : 12/11/2017 7:36:55 AM : Story Author : Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com

The Minister who made the disclosure during a stakeholders meeting with the Greater Accra Regional National Fish Processors and Traders Association last Friday held at Tema Naval Base said government understands their contribution to the economy and is committed to helping them improve their businesses to be able to reap better returns to take care of their family.

According to her, the Ministry through the World Bank, under the West African Regional Fisheries Project and approved by the Finance Ministry is to offer these loans to the members of NAFPTA, adding that the distribution is likely to carried out between now and new year.

The delay in making the loan facility available to the fish processors was brought by the quest for due diligence; the need to fulfil procedural requirements as mandated by law.

Additionally, Madam Quaye announced that her ministry will also procure more equipment including “Ahotor oven”, insulated containers among others to reduce post-harvest losses, on one hand and also ensure quality fish that meets standard of the export market to help generate foreign income to the country.

Touching on illegal fishing, the Minister expressed regret at some squabbles on the sea leading to injuries, adding that inasmuch as they are working hard to end illegal fishing to protect the sea, the fishing business and consumers, it must be done peacefully. Thus, they are re-strategizing with the fishing volunteers to see how best to improve their operations.

She however, urged members of NAFPTA to help them achieve their targets by rejecting fishes that are illegally caught and also talk to the fishermen to desist from such acts. She warned that after peacefully engaging them to desist from illegal fishing, those who will insist on taking such path will have the law to contend with.