The Ghanaian fishing community in Cote D’Ivoire, are calling on government for an ambassador who is well versed in fisheries to help address their challenges.
President Mahama is yet to name the ambassador for La Côte D’Ivoire. However, Speaker of Parliament Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin says he intends to collaborate with the Ivorian Parliament to address the fishermen’s plight.
About 80% of the approximately 3 million Ghanaians living in La Cote D’Ivoire work in the fisheries sector. They complain that they face many challenges including maltreatment and seizure of their catch by the Ivorian security.
According to them, the previous Ambassador from Ghana, failed to address their concerns, leaving them vulnerable.
Rebecca Cudjoe, a dedicated fishmonger, bemoaned the current state of affairs.
“It’s not a curse to travel, but our experience with the Ghana Embassy during the 8th Parliament made it feel that way. We’re appealing for a compassionate Ambassador who understands human struggles and will acknowledge our plight. We don’t want a repeat of the previous Parliament, where we derived no benefits from the Embassy. Instead, they required us to obtain identification cards, making us feel like they prioritized their own interests over our well-being. We need an Ambassador who genuinely cares about our welfare,” she said.
Zimbabwe is a community in La Cote D’Ivoire, which hosts a large number of Ghanaian fishermen. They also recount harrowing experiences of harassment and extortion by the Ivorian security forces despite having all the necessary documents for their operations
“Upon returning from a fishing expedition, you’re often stopped by the police, who demand to see your documents. After complying, they’ll frequently ask for a portion of your catch, sometimes even boarding the boat to take what they want. Meanwhile, you’re required to obtain insurance licenses for the boat and pay fees for using the sea. However, despite fulfilling these obligations, if an accident occurs, you’re left without support. This has made it challenging to recruit sailors from Ghana, as they’re reluctant to work in a system where the Ivorian security forces take a significant portion of their earnings,” another fisherman stated.
Joseph Cobbinah shared his thoughts on the impact of the close season on their livelihood.
“Initially, when Ghana closed its seas, it didn’t affect Côte d’Ivoire. However, things changed when former Minister Hawa Koomson met with the Ivorian government to synchronize the closure dates. Prior to this agreement, Ghanaian fishermen would often come to Cot D’Ivoire waters to fish during their closed season, but now that we have the same closure dates, it’s impacting our work. We plan to appeal for a solution to this issue,” Mr Cobbinah said.
In a significant development, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has assured them of his commitment to finding a lasting solution to their challenges.
“I appreciate you bringing this issue to my attention, and I’ll definitely escalate it to the new minister and the President. Our community heavily relies on fishing, with a staggering 80% of Ghanaian residents here engaged in the industry. Given the significance of fishing to our local economy and livelihoods, it’s crucial that we don’t have a simultaneous closure of fishing activities, as it would have severe consequences on our people,“ he said.
At a community engagement, he pledged to collaborate with the Ivorian Parliament to address their plight.
“I believe that if the two governments work together, we can effectively resolve this issue. As one people, sharing a common heritage, our collaboration will yield positive results. The arrangements being made from Parliament to Parliament are a step in the right direction, benefiting all of us,” he added.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
The post We need an ambassador who can address our challenges – Ghanaian fisherfolk in Cote D’Ivoire first appeared on 3News.
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