The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Madam Emelia Arthur, has inaugurated an eleven-member National Premix Fuel Committee to oversee the procurement and equitable distribution of premix fuel to fishing communities across the country.
The Committee, established under the National Premix Fuel Committee Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2233) is tasked to ensure transparent and lawful distribution while supporting the livelihoods of artisanal fishers and promoting coastal development.
Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday in Accra, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to enforcing regulations that mandate every landing beach to have a dedicated committee supervising premix fuel distribution.
“This system will ensure accountability and eliminate unfair practices,” she stated.
She noted that Regulation 27(1) of L.I. 2233 mandates the distribution of proceeds from premix fuel sales as follows: 53% to the fishing community (for development projects), 12% to the Chief Fisherman or Headman, 18% to other committee members, 10% to the secretary and 7% to the Pump Attendant.
Madam Arthur stressed that the 53% allocated to communities must fund development initiatives benefiting all residents.
She urged the Committee to audit past expenditures of these funds to ensure proper utilization and called on stakeholders to ensure Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) are lawfully constituted, with qualified representatives managing local premix fuel proceeds effectively.
On his part, the Chairman of the committee, Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Defeamekpor pledged to work “around the clock” to resolve long-standing challenges in the distribution and pricing of premix fuel, critical to Ghana’s fishing and lakeside economies.
He noted that premix fuel shortages and pricing irregularities have disrupted livelihoods across fishing communities, lake transport and border trade, impacting nearly 70 districts.
“Over a million people including fishers, traders, and agricultural workers rely on the fuel for business and essential travel. The local economy cannot function without efficient and fairly priced premix fuel. We must act now—acta non verba (deeds, not words),” he stated.
Other members of the committee are Ekow Ebow Mensah (Premix Administrator), and representatives from key institutions: Ms. Marian W.A. Kpakpah (Fisheries Ministry), Mr. Stephen Langmatey Nadu (Energy Ministry), Rosina Williams (Fisheries Commission), Mamaga Delight Esi Ametepe (National Inland Fishermen Council), Richard Kofi Dadzie (Ghana Canoe Fishermen Council), Jacob Kabore Tetteh Ageke (National Fisheries Association), Dr. Riverson Oppong (Oil Marketing Companies), and Ministry representatives; James Essoun, Julius Annang Ashitey, and Josephine Yankson
