Fisherfolk at Sekondi Landing Beach are calling for transparency and accountability from the previous Premix Fuel Committee, alleging mismanagement of funds generated from premix fuel sales over the past eight years.
Specifically, the fishermen claim that the committee failed to disclose how they utilized the community component of premix sales – 53% of proceeds earmarked for community development projects.
Despite legal requirements for transparency, the former committee allegedly neglected to provide any accounting of these funds, sparking concerns among community members.
They are urging the Member of Parliament for Sekondi, to step in and ensure transparency regarding the management of premix fuel funds, amid escalating concerns of mismanagement and misappropriation.
Charles Nana Mensah Konduah, a fisherman at Sekondi Landing Beach, voiced his exasperation over the apparent lack of transparency, pointing out that despite the allocation of funds, the community has not seen any tangible development or benefits.
“The previous administration did receive a lot of consignment yet after the sale of the fuel they didn’t even render a single account…with the new administration in place what we want as a fisherfolks is for the MP to intervene and for the old administration to render an account to us,”
Ebenezer Kwamina Enoch, Chairman of the Sekondi Canoe Owners Association, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the vital role of transparency in promoting accountability. He reasoned that by holding the new administration accountable, they would be discouraged from mismanaging funds in the future.
“It cannot be business as usual, where an outgoing administration refuses to account for public funds. By law, 53% of the proceeds from premix fuel sales should be invested in community development. After eight years, we have the right to know how this money was used,” Enoch stated.
He sounded a cautionary note that in the absence of rigorous financial oversight, funds earmarked for upgrading fishing infrastructure and enhancing livelihoods may continue to be squandered, perpetuating the plight of fishermen who are forced to operate with subpar facilities and insufficient resources.
Ebenezer Kwamina Thompson, a prominent figure in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Sekondi Constituency, stepped forward as the voice of MP Blay Armah Nyamekere, addressing the growing demands for transparency from the community.
He gave the fishermen a reassuring message, stating that MP Blay Armah Nyamekere is firmly committed to transparency and accountability, and will ensure that the previous committee provides a detailed account of how the premix fuel proceeds were managed.
“Hon. Nyameke is determined to uphold transparency and accountability. He will ensure that those responsible for managing the funds account for every cedi collected and used,” Thompson said.
As tensions escalate, the fishing community and concerned citizens are convinced that a thorough audit and transparent disclosure of the premix fuel funds will be crucial in delivering justice, while also revitalizing trust in the distribution system.
Author: Dorothy Donkor
