February 20th is World Social Justice Day and as part of the commemoration the families of missing Fisheries Observers in Ghana joined international organizations including the International Association for Professional Observers (APO). and Ghanaian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to raise attention on the cases of missing Fisheries Observers in Ghana and seek JUSTICE.
The background is that since 2019 there have been cases of disappearances and mysterious death of Ghanaian Fisheries Observers at sea onboard fishing vessels. In all cases the fisheries observers were duly employed by Fisheries Commission and were assigned by the Commission to board fishing vessel to monitor their work and also collect fish data but they disappeared at sea while on lawful duty to the State.
The family of one of the missing Fisheries Observers Samuel Abayateye presented a letter to Ghana’s new Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Emelia Arthur. The letter stated that the family was worried because the investigations had been inconclusive since October 2023, when Samuel Abayateye disappeared at sea while on lawful duty onboard a fishing vessel Marina 707.
Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, the Executive Director of HELP Foundation, who led the family to meet the new Fisheries Minister explained that in the past year, the families have submitted petitions and letters to the police, the former Minister of Fisheries, the former Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, and many others duty bearers but they have not had the desired results.
The Minister of Fisheries Hon. Emelia Arthur received the letter and thanked the family for their patients. She assured the family that she as a new Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture will work with the Interior Minister to follow-up on the case.
The family expressed their appreciation to the new minister for her assurance of commitment to address the issues and ensure justice for the family.