The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said it will release findings on the incident of various fish species washed ashore along the country’s coastline by the end of this week.
According to the Executive Director, Dr Henry Kokofu, samples gathered from the beaches are currently being taken through laboratory analysis.
Speaking on a sister station, the Director said his outfit has formed a team of investigators to probe the cause of the incident. He indicated that the investigators include persons in academia as well.
“… by close of the week, we would be able to tell exactly what has happened.”
Dr Henry Kokofu, Executive Director
The incidents of dead fishes of various species, washed ashore beaches in Accra and Axim occurred over the Easter weekend.
Meanwhile, the Fisheries Ministry is coordinating the inter-agency investigation into the reported incidents. The agencies include the Fisheries Commission, the Food and Drugs Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ghana Maritime Authority. The remaining are the Ghana Navy, the Marine Police, and the respective Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies. The investigations will determine the causes of the incidents and possible preventive measures for the future.
Furthermore, the Police Service is to arrest any persons found distributing fish from these incidents into the food chain. The FDA has also dispatched an inspection team to markets in parts of the capital, Accra following the incident.
Caution against the consumption of washed-ashore fish
In a statement, the general public is being warned to desist from consuming the fish washed ashore given the potential risk to health and safety. The Commission has also entreated the public to inspect the freshness of the eyes and gills of fish they seek to buy.
The Fisheries Minister, Hawa Koomson has asked residents of Osu who consumed some of the washed ashore fishes to avail themselves for monitoring.
Addressing the media during an engagement with Osu fishermen today, the Minister urged such persons to own up for medical checks.
“I want to use this opportunity to plead with the community. If anyone has consumed the fish please own up, so we can address any problems that may arise..”
“Please cooperate with us and own up, so we can monitor you to know your health situation. If there are some in the market, please let us withdraw them. We are doing our best to know what caused that situation.”
Hawa Koomson, Fisheries Minister
Meanwhile, FDA’s CEO, Delese Mimi Darko also said her outfit will facilitate the immediate completion of investigations into the situation.
“We have sent samples to the laboratory. This is not a normal occurrence and until we can find out what has happened, we need to take measures to ensure no one is harmed. We will hurry up and make sure the laboratory tests will come out as quickly as possible.”
Delese Mimi Darko, FDA’s CEO
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