Premix fuel smuggling in Ghana will soon be a thing of the past, according to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
According to Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Ministry has designed and implemented a new program for the distribution of premix gasoline throughout the country.
The new technology, she claims, will aid in the effective administration of the commodity.
She claimed the new method allows her office to follow the flow of premix fuel around the country, in response to questioning in Parliament last week.
"Right now, we're working on a more efficient [technology]." I can watch the vehicle that is loading and the quantity that will be in the tank even while I am in the office, and I will know everytime a fisherman gets premix fuel from the dispenser," she explained.
Smuggling of premix gasoline is still a big problem in Ghana.
The Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana recently lamented the product's inconsistent supply and mishandling.
According to the fishermen, the constant diversion of premix fuel and mishandling of the product's distribution have grown worrying. Daniel Ameduameh Sotie, a national executive committee member of the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana, called on the President to intervene and ensure a sufficient supply of premix gasoline to the landing beaches during a press conference in Sege, in the Greater Accra Region.
"With the higher gasoline prices, fisherman can no longer afford to use Super XP and engine oil as premix fuel alternatives, as they could in the past." "It's a pity that fishermen who are expecting a month-long closed season in July can't go fishing right now because we can't receive the premix fuel," he said.
Mr. Daniel Ameduameh Sotie went on to say that they are looking forward to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development's planned automation of the distribution and sale of premix fuel, which would provide relief to the fisherman.