By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has announced plans to criminalise child fishing activities that interfere with schooling in the Ga State.
Speaking at the 2026 Kinka Blonya, an annual New Year celebration for children, on Thursday, January 1, 2025, the traditional ruler said a by-law is being prepared to stop parents from engaging their children in fishing at the expense of education.
According to him, once the by-law is passed, parents who allow their children to engage in fishing instead of attending school will be arrested and prosecuted.
The Ga Mantse explained that the decision is part of wider efforts by traditional authorities in the Ga State to protect the future of children by promoting access to quality education.
“All the traditional authorities in the Ga State have come together to actively promote education. A time is nearing when fishing by children at the expense of education would be criminalised,” he said.
He also highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting education in the Ga community, including the award of scholarships to about 1,000 schoolchildren.
“We are at a point where prioritising education in the Ga State is non-negotiable. We are providing over 1,000 scholarships, therefore parents have no excuse not to enrol their children in school. Let us all come together and raise Ga children for the future,” he added.
The planned by-law, he noted, is expected to strengthen efforts to improve education and socio-economic development in the Ga State.
