The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, has called for cooperation from local authorities to ensure the timely completion of two new fish landing sites.
She disclosed that four communities – Abuesi, Ahwiam, Apam, and Kpando Torkor – have been identified as potential sites, with the final two locations to be selected after feasibility studies.
The initiative, backed by a grant from the Korean government, aims to construct two modern fish landing sites by December 2024.
Speaking at an inception meeting in Accra on Tuesday, she said there was a need for collaboration between Regional Coordinating Councils, Chief Executives and traditional authorities to deliver the project successfully.
“I wish to call on the local authorities – the Regional Coordinating Councils, led by the Chief Executives and all stakeholders to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure that we deliver this project, the entire project is expected to be completed by December 2024,” she said.
According to Mrs Koomson, the project is part of efforts to address challenges in the fishing sector, including unsanitary conditions at traditional landing sites, beach erosion and lack of essential facilities.
She advised against indiscriminate sand wining along beaches and called for an “all hands on deck approach” in the fight against illegalities in the fisheries sector.
Mrs Koomson stated that the landing sites project is a result of bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Korea, which spans over four decades
“This project underscores the importance of the fisheries sector to Ghana’s economy, contributing to food security, livelihoods and environmental sustainability,” she noted.
She expressed appreciation to the Korean government for the grant which covers the construction of two landing sites and pledged the government’s commitment to ensuring the project is undertaken in the stipulated time.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
