Some fishermen in the Central Region have challenged government to publish the names of recipients of the outboard motors it distributed to fishermen across the coastal regions of the country.

They accuse the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of politicising the distribution process, claiming that the machines were given out to party functionaries instead of fishermen.

The fishermen's sentiments follow an investigation by freelance investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, which reveals that the Mfantsiman Constituency second vice-chairman of the NPP sold an outboard motor subsidized by government for fishermen at a higher price.

At a news conference at Elmina on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, spokesperson of the group, John Quayson, said they are vindicated as fishermen when they say the motors ended in the wrong hands.

"About two months ago, we held a meeting with the press to convey to government that 70% of the outboard motors it claims to have distributed to fisherfolks did not end with us but rather party supporters.

We are challenging government to mention the name of all the fishermen it claims it supplies the outboard motors to. If not, then we can conclude that the president really has nothing to offer to us fishermen, but only caters for members of his party" he said.

John Quayson and his cohorts say they have not been treated fairly, and demand that government shows that it does have their concerns at heart.

The canoe fishermen, per government directives, were supposed to register with details of their canoes and pay to the bank before being allocated the outboard motors wich cost close to ¢20,000 on the market but are to be given at a subsidised price of ¢10,000.