Fisherfolk React to Premix Funds in Western Region
For years, landing beaches across Ghana have been plagued by opacity in the management of premix fuel funds, leading to mistrust and disputes. This week, a new chapter began at Sekondi, New Takoradi, and Abuesi, as local committees publicly accounted for their 2025 premix fuel operations.
The unprecedented move, part of the National Premix Fuel Secretariat’s Premix Accountability Series, aims to restore confidence in the system by providing fisherfolk with clear financial records.
“I have been fishing here for more than 20 years, but this is the first time I am seeing them show us the books like this,” Kwame Essel, a canoe owner at Sekondi landing beach, told JoyNews. “When they mentioned the amounts and showed where the money is kept, it gave us some confidence.”
Under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2233, 53 per cent of premix fuel margins are earmarked for community development. However, many fishing communities have historically lacked information on how these funds were utilized.
At New Takoradi, fishmonger Esi Armah expressed relief at the transparency. “Before now, when we asked about the premix money, people would say, ‘It has been used.’ Used for what? We didn’t know,” she explained. “This time, they told us how much came in and where the money is. That is what we want.”
The open accounting sessions appeared to have an immediate calming effect. Yaw Mensah, a crew member at Abuesi, noted, “When people don’t know, they suspect everything. Today, when they showed the bank statement, the shouting reduced. Even those who were angry became calm.”
The figures revealed significant sums raised for development. The Sekondi committee reported GH¢126,000 collected over the past ten months, while New Takoradi raised GH¢59,000 and Abuesi realized GH¢102,000.
“I didn’t know the money could reach that level,” remarked Mary Koomson, a smoked fish vendor near New Takoradi landing beach. “If we manage it well, we can do something meaningful for the whole place.”
However, the exercise also sparked calls for tangible results. Canoe owner Kofi Blay stated, “We have seen the money now. The next thing is to sit down as a community and agree on what to use it for. If we see toilets, lights, or repairs at the beach, everyone will support the system.”
Fisherfolk emphasized the need for consistent accountability. “If they do this only once, it will not help,” cautioned Abdul Rahman, a fisherman at New Takoradi. “They should come every quarter or every year and tell us the same thing. That is how trust will stay.”
Ebow Mensah, Administrator of the National Premix Fuel Secretariat, affirmed the initiative’s importance. “When communities can see the figures and ask questions, the system becomes stronger,” he said. “That is how premix moves from suspicion to shared responsibility.”
As discussions continued late into the evening, a sense of ownership and renewed hope permeated the landing beaches. “As long as they keep doing this,” Kwame Essel concluded, “we will also protect the system. Because now, it feels like it truly belongs to us.”
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
