Parliament of Ghana has approved GHC208 million commercial agreement for the construction of 10 landing sites along the coasts of Ghana.Â
The project which approved parliament is aimed at ensuring safeguard launching and landing of artisanal fishing and canoes, also creating and maintaining a hygienic environment for the processing and handling of fish.
The projects will help prevent and minimise post-harvest losses and adding value to the fish caught by artisanal fishermen.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah said the project is expected to be completed next year, 2020 and will create a lot of job opportunities for the locals.
"Location are Axim, Dixcove, Elmina, Winneba, Mumford, Senya- Bereku, Fetteh-Gomah, Moree, Teshie and Ada, we are in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries to undertake this project and we hope that when it is completed around the middle of next year it will help very much in improving the livelihood of our fishing communities."
The fisheries sector plays a major role in the Ghanaian national economy and contributes 3 per cent of the GDP with lots of significant indirect contributions to the economy.
Read also: 10 Coastal Fishing Harbours and Landing Sites to be constructed
These include employment opportunities for marine fishermen, boat-yards workers, suppliers of auxiliary goods, services and exporting of the fish products to earn foreign exchange for the country.