Fisherfolk in the Western Region are raising concern about the future of their businesses as the high cost of acquiring new canoes continues to put a strain on their livelihoods.
Many are now turning to second-hand canoes as a more affordable alternative, but they are concerned this may not be a sustainable solution in the long term.
The high cost of new canoes, fisherfolk explain, is largely due to the complex and expensive processes involved in acquiring them.
According to Richard Enstie Secretary to the Chief Fisherman of Abuesi, the have been paying the statutory fees to the Forestry Commission and being confronted with additional, unapproved charges from security personnel when they gather timber for canoe construction. "It's not just about the price of the canoe itself.
