Ghanaian Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Sherry Ayittey, has advised fishermen in the country to take advantage of the government’s Fishermen Life Insurance policy.

The policy is offered in partnership with Star Microinsurance, a specialised Microinsurance intermediary for Star Life/Star Assurance Company Limited.

A pilot of the insurance scheme took place between January and April this year, and a number of vessel owners and crew members have already been insured from the Greater Accra, Western, Central, Eastern, Brong Ahafo, Northern and Volta regions.

When completed, the project will provide insurance coverage for over 200,000 fishermen across the country. 

In the event of incapacitation, death and if working tools are destroyed, the policy entitles registered fishermen to compensation. It also provides an avenue for capital accumulation in the event that no disaster occurs, which will be paid to fishermen later in life.