There are indications the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), have begun a fierce battle for dominance in the fishing communities of the Central Region. While Deputy Central Regional Minister, Aquinas Quansah is embarking on a tour to explain government policies to the fishermen, NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo is on a campaign dubbed Tour to restore hope in those same areas. Currently, the various fishing associations in the region have been divided along political lines, making it more difficult for a particular government to effectively resolve their challenges. Some of the fishermen Adom News spoke to expressed concern about what they say is the failure of President Mills to fulfill his promise to them. Nana Kofi Ekye, a fisherman at Moree told Adom News fishermen in the region are upset and disappointed at President Mills’ failure to fulfill his promise of constructing landing sites for them since former Fisheries Minister, Gladys Asmah, cut the sod for the project. Another fisherman, Kobina Aggrey of Cape Coast expressed shock at the scrapping of the Fisheries Ministry during President Mills tenure after it was established during the Kufour administration. Some of the fishermen also accused the government of superintending the increase in the price of outboard motors from GH¢2,950 in 2008 to GH¢7,620 currently. Frustrated by these challenges, one of the spokespersons for the fishermen, Nana Kwame Bassa has threatened to reject donations from the government from now till elections. Coincidentally, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo visited those communities Wednesday morning and assured the fishermen of his party’s commitment to re-instate the fisheries ministry, complete the landing sites projects and resolve all the concerns of the fishing communities. Nana Addo accused President Mills and the NDC of deceiving fishermen and cautioned them to make a better choice this year during the general elections, adding his government will not allow the corruption that has engulfed the fishing communities. The Municipal Chief Executive for Mfantseman, Henry Hayfron denied the allegations against the government, explaining that construction work on all the beach projects are progressing steadily. He counseled the fishermen against playing politics with national issues. Mr. Hayfron described Nana Kwame Bassa who threatened the president with a ‘no vote’ as a ‘nobody’ who has no power over the other fishermen. He was worried that the NPP is playing politics with fishing issues, a development he said makes it more difficult to resolve the problems. Story: Afia Pokua/Adom News/Ghana