The Member of Parliament ( MP) for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has expressed concern about the outbreak of a disease affecting the fish stock and other aquatic life in the Rivers Ebi and Fia, posing a livelihood and existential threat to fishers at Kamgbunli in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
“I am deeply troubled by the alarming reports emerging from Kamgbunli, a town in my beloved Ellembele constituency, where a mysterious fish disease is wreaking havoc on the livelihoods of our fishers and posing a significant threat to the health of our community”.
This was in a statement issued and signed by Mr Armah-Kofi Buah and copied Ghana News Agency in Aiyinasi.
He noted that the situation in Kamgbunli was dire as fish caught in the Ebi River were exhibiting severe skin infections, making them unsuitable for sale or consumption.
Additionally, the river has taken on a noxious odour and an unsettling colour, heightening concerns about potential health hazards for the residents.
Fishers at Kamgbunli recently experienced a bizarre incident as fishes caught by their gears, were not only dead on arrival but infected with a strange disease.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said, “While the temporary ban on fishing activities in the affected rivers is a necessary precaution to safeguard our people, it is imperative that we expedite the process of collecting samples and conducting tests to pinpoint the source of contamination.”
The MP who is the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, urgently implored the Western Regional Fisheries Commission to promptly gather samples from the impacted fish and the river.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah noted that “any delay in taking these crucial steps would prolong the suffering of the Kamgbunli community.”
“Furthermore, I call upon the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and other pertinent agencies to collaborate and offer the requisite support to investigate and address this pressing crisis.”
The MP expressed his solidarity with the people of Kamgbunli and called on all stakeholders to prioritize the issue and work together to address the urgent needs of the constituents.
Source: GNA
