The government has initiated a comprehensive recovery and reform campaign to transform the premix fuel sector following serious financial mismanagement and governance breaches in the 53 per cent Community Development Fund (CDF), which supports coastal fishing communities.
This follows an audit conducted by the Internal Audit Unit of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA), which revealed that between 2017 and 2024, 132 Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) failed to account for funds received from premix fuel allocations, resulting in a loss of GH¢13,753,300.
However, the total recovery target, including other identified irregularities, stood at GH¢27.7 million.
Findings
The audit report released by the ministry detailed widespread failures, including unauthorised withdrawals, non-compliance with approved fund distribution formulas and poor documentation.
These lapses prevented resources from being allocated to essential community projects, including drainage systems to address flooding, toilets to combat open defecation, schools to improve educational access, and other infrastructure critical for coastal fishing communities.
The ministry said these shortcomings represented a severe setback for development in underdeveloped coastal areas, which relied heavily on these resources to improve living conditions and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This government will not look away from the institutional weaknesses we inherited. We are taking firm steps to recover public funds, restore confidence in the premix system, and ensure that resources meant for fishing communities are properly protected,” the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, said.
Recovery measures
The Administrator of the National Premix Secretariat, Mr Ebow Mensah, confirmed that recovery processes had commenced.
“Recoveries have started, and structured repayment arrangements are being pursued where appropriate,” he said, adding that the audit provided both the moral and legal authority to act decisively and address long-standing governance gaps.
The ministry and the premix secretariat have issued demand notices to the affected LBCs and are engaging them to ensure restitution and compliance.
In addition, serious cases are being referred for further action, while governance structures at the landing-beach level are being restructured to tighten financial controls and oversight.
Reforms
In response to the audit, the MoFA and the National Premix Secretariat are implementing a suite of reforms designed to prevent future losses and ensure transparency.
Key among the measures are the introduction of a nationwide Community Development Fund, an accountability and protection framework from February 2026, clearer signatory rules and mandatory reporting for all LBCs, alignment of CDF management with the Premix Fuel Automation System, enhanced training for LBC executives and stricter compliance monitoring.
“These reforms mark a new chapter for the premix system.
“Our focus is on protecting fisherfolk, recovering public funds, and ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated,” Mr Mensah said.
The reforms aim to ensure that premix revenues are reinvested in community development projects, directly contributing to SDGs related to poverty alleviation, education, and clean water and sanitation.
Transparency
The government has positioned this audit and recovery drive as a turning point for the premix programme, emphasising transparency, accountability and long-term reform.
By combining the disclosure of the findings with decisive recovery actions and strengthened safeguards, the ministry aims to rebuild public trust and ensure sustainable development outcomes for Ghana’s coastal communities.
“Transparency strengthens enforcement. By making these findings public, we have empowered ourselves to act decisively and fairly,” Mr Mensah said.
With these reforms, the premix fuel programme is set to operate on a stronger, more sustainable foundation, ensuring that funds allocated for community development achieve meaningful impacts in the livelihoods of fisherfolk and their communities.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh