The Minister of Fisheries and Marine  Resources (MFMR),  Princess  Dugba has re-emphasized the need to  address challenges facing women in fisheries and aquaculture  sectors across the country.

The empowerment touches on especially in the areas of access to energy, storage and preservation of their fish products.

Speaking during a symbolic presentation of Solarized Freezers to a group of women who are engaged in fisheries and aqua-cultural activities at Sluima, Sorogbema Chiefdom,  Pujehun District, Mrs.  Dugba, commended UNDP for the kind gesture.

The initiative, she noted, was  in line with her ministry’s vision to promote the  objectives of the 5  Big Game Changers, the  initiative of the government.

Lack of access to energy, storage and preservation facilities has been one the main challenges facing women in the sector especially those  in the regions.

She encouraged the women to make best use of the opportunity.

UNDP Resident  Representative  in Sierra Leone Derrick Ampiah,  said,  the gesture was undertaker to increase energy access, to promote food security and improve the beneficiaries livelihoods, adding that,  seventy percent of the people  in the country  depends on fish as their  main source of animal protein.

UNDP Team Lead, Sustainability and Local Economic Cluster, Tarazila Sankoh, said  the Solarized freezers will also support climate resilience and entreated the beneficiaries to use the  items for  their  intended purposes while assuring them of her organization’s continued  support.

Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Fisheries, Permanent Secretary, head of Marine Artisanal, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Local Councils and Chiefdom Authorities, among others.

A total of Thirty Solar-powered Freezers, worth millions of Leones were provided by UNDP to promote women’s empowerment and economic development in various parts of the country.

By Max A Konneh, Media Coordinator,  MFMR.