Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has announced that the government will introduce solar-powered outboard motors for fishers across Ghana starting in October. The initiative aims to address long-standing challenges in the artisanal fisheries sector, particularly issues related to premix fuel shortages, high costs, and smuggling.
The pilot phase of the project will be launched in Elmina, within the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Constituency in the Central Region. During this phase, fishers will be trained on how to operate the new solar-powered motors.
During a tour of the constituency on Tuesday, September 24, Dr. Bawumia, who is also the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), explained that the new machines were introduced to ease the burden of relying on expensive and scarce premix fuel. He emphasized that these affordable solar-powered motors would be sold to fishers through a hire purchase system.
“You will no longer need premix fuel because the sun will provide the energy you need every day,” Dr. Bawumia stated, adding, “We will introduce a treasury scheme to help everyone and reduce the existing challenges.”
