Government has been asked to tackle the problems plaguing the country’s fishing communities with a sense of urgency so as not to further aggravate the living conditions of the people. “In the past few years, the fishing communities especially the ones in the Western, Volta, Greater Accra and Central Regions have experienced increasing poverty in all its forms. Consequently, many children in these communities do not go to school or drop out of school at early ages,” Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, CPP 2008 presidential candidate said in a press release. He said many fisher folks are in huge debt due to irregular supply of pre-mix fuel, the activities of pair-trawlers, unsafe landing beaches and a general increase in the cost of fishing. For some weeks now there have been intermittent shortages of pre-mix fuel, which has sent tongues wagging in some fishing communities in the country; they even threatened to demonstrate against the government. Dr. Nduom reminded the Prof. Mills-led administration on the “lots of hope” Ghanaians have invested in the government based on the NDC’s campaign promises, warning, “A careful review of the voting pattern of these communities particularly those in the Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions gives ample food for thought.” He also bemoaned the unfortunate reduction in access to credit in 2009 adding, “the cost of money has gone up…It is making the poverty situation in the fishing communities worse”. “If care is not taken, the fishing communities will consider all politicians as non-caring as they believe that the previous administration did not help them as much as they had promised when they were in opposition.” He suggested to the government to avoid meddling in the distribution of pre-mix fuel as done with kerosene. “The important role of government should be that of ensuring the security of pre-mix fuel and its availability and the safe delivery of the products to their intended destinations,” he said. Story by Isaac Essel Myjoyonline.com/Ghana