The Central Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa Doe has appealed to angry fisherfolk in and around the Central Region to channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities rather than resorting to demonstrations and blocking roads.
The Minister’s comments come on the back of some fishermen who destroyed some properties of the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem District Assembly in protest against a ban on the use of flash lights for fishing at night. They demonstrators also protested against the government’s decision to increase fuel prices.
Police had to throw tear gas to disperse them after they mounted road blocks making it impossible for commuters travelling to Takoradi from Accra to continue with their journey. Speaking to Citi News, Ama Benyiwa Doe pleaded with the fishermen to abide the by the laws of the nation and follow due process to address their grievances.
“When a law has been passed legally by parliament and other groups that have concerns have a way of addressing their concerns through their representative or some due process…people have the right to express their views but they don’t have the right to jump onto the road and decide that commuters cannot use it because they have some concerns about a law legally passed by Parliament”.
Meanwhile, Police in the Central Region have begun investigations into the circumstances under which some fishermen in Elmina blocked the road linking Cape Coast and Takoradi, leaving many passengers stranded.
Central Regional Police PRO, Corporal Raymond Asaba said the Police will investigate into the circumstances that led to road block by the fishermen. “We got to the scene and we saw some demonstrators but when they saw us they run away. For now we are only going to deal with the demonstrators from blocking the road and obstructing other road users”.