In Grand Cape Mount County
By Judoemue M. Kollie
With support from the European Union, fishermen, fishmongers and processors have elected new set of leaders for the three Collaborative Management Associations (CMAs) in Grand Cape Mount County.
The new leaders will steer the affairs of the CMAs for region I, II and III within the next three years. They will advocate for the wellbeing of fisheries, ensure sustainable fisheries practices are adhered to and help to reduce illegal fishing activities.
The election for the CMA leaderships was held over the week end in the county organized under the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) Communities of Fisheries project in collaboration with the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority (NaFAA).
The CMA is the body of fisheries private sector leadership organization that is responsible for the sustainable management of the fisheries sector.
Approximately, 1,500 registered voters peacefully and successfully went to the polls within the various regions to select 38 candidates, males and females who were vying for the positions of president, vice president, general secretary, financial secretary, treasurer and auditor.
Speaking with journalists at the conclusion of the electoral processes, the program officer of EJF, Augustine Fayiah said that the electoral processes were successfully carried out and stated that the Communities of Fisheries project aims to support small scale fisheries communities. It is to also organize leadership so as to improve the food security and livelihood of the coaster communities.
He said that the elected leaders are expected to adequately govern the affairs of the CMAs in the fisheries communities and support the government’s efforts in the fight against illegal fishing activities.
According to him, over the period of time his institution had established the co management associations in coastal counties of Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Grand Kru counties.
Mr. Fayiah said that CMA leadership in Cape Mount had been dormant for a decade but with request from the fisheries authorities they have worked to reactivate the organization.
“There has been the lack of leadership in the past making the fisheries communities in this county very much ineffective. We have been working with them through consultation to bring this to a fruition.”
Since then, his organization has been involved with the fishing communities to ensure that they are organized, Mr. Fayiah said.
He said that the project was also empowering women to become decision makers in the fisheries and wells as empowering them through village saving loans associations.
Nimene Doe, president elect of region one, promised to network with his colleagues’ leadership to govern the affairs of the CMAs.
“I would like to thanks the fishers for their decisions to have me and others elected. We shall work tediously to govern the affairs of the people and work to reduce illegal fishing,” said the program officer of EJF.
Doe who won his rivals in his region with 207 votes said that with support of the international partners illegal fishing is gradually being reduced in the county.
The Associate Director for Policy and Investment at NaFAA, Solomon Daryoue said that he was pleased about the electoral processes and he said that the fisheries authority stands ready to support the CMAs in helping to ensure a sustainable fisheries sector.