The government has allocated $235 million for the construction of 10 Coastal Fishing Harbours and Landing Sites across the country.
The construction of the sites is expected to be approved by Parliament following Cabinet’s approval to the commercial and financial agreement for the projects.
The ten identified sites where the landing sites and related facilities will be constructed include Teshie in the Greater Accra Region, Axim, and Dixcove in the Western Region, Elmina, Winneba, Mumford, Senya-Bereku, Fetteh-Gomoah and Moree in the Central Region and Keta in the Volta Region.
At a press briefing in Accra Wednesday, the Minister of Information, Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said the development of the fish landing sites and ports is aimed at ensuring safe launching and landing of particularly, artisanal fishing and canoes.
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“It is also aimed at creating and maintaining a hygienic environment for the processing and handling of fish, preventing and minimizing post-harvest losses and adding value to the fish caught by artisanal fishermen,†he said.
Information Minister, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah noted that the fisheries sector played a major role in the national economy and contributes to 3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He added that the completion of the projects is expected to increase the export volume of fish from the current 12 percent as well as increase the foreign exchange earnings of the country.
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