Malaysians of take over Tema Beach?

I write to re-join an earlier press release issued by the Corporate Social Responsibility Movement, Tema on issues of the take over of the Tema Beach by Malaysians to construct palm oil silo which will be connected to the sea for landing, discharging and distribution.

It is very surprising and awful that at current epoch of the “social capital” regime renowned and respected opinion leaders of Tema New Town will rise up and arms against such a huge development to hit the Town. A check on the movement’s website reveals that they are purposely advocating for safe practices of all industries in the metropolis, an aim that I personally have seen no impact till date. In achieving its mission the CSRM further says it shall engage in stakeholder dialogues with communities in effect. To this end, then, why the need for the CSRM to blatantly mislead the fisher folks into demonstrating against a huge investment in their jurisdiction that can solve much of the problems, they (fisher-folks) cry over in television broadcast and in the media. Are they doing this to selfishly gain at the expense of the illiteracy of the fisher folk?

The fact still remain that the construction of the silos will create inconvenience numbering from they loosing a vast land size for the processing of anchovies and mending of nets for the fisher folks but that not withstanding I believe this project is worth over millions of dollars and if the CSRM will be fair to the fisher folks all of these their inconsequential inconvenience will be solved with a comprehensive bargain in place.

Also on the point that 25,000 jobs will be lost at the construction of these silos, it is very disheartening to note that the Malaysians are not ejecting them from the habour nor landing sites, they are only seeking to develop an adjoining land serving negligible purposes of the fisher folks. Inhabitants of the town, by the majority constitute the unskilled labour force and this single project will temporary employ about a 1,000 of Tema’s youth if a proper negotiation and comprehensive consultation is sought, though not news worthy, it is creditable. With no offence in mind, it is lucid that the “five” beach mentioned has created room for miscreants and promotes the increasing spate of immorality in the metropolis, bearing in mind it’s sole significance of pleasure, relaxation and tourism. If the good of these people is at the heart of the CSRM, then they would have had in mind that the construction of these silo’s will create an avenue for these purported ‘miscreants” to be employed since their current unemployment leads to their reprobation and not only will they enjoy livelihood but will be responsible and contribute to the metropolis’ progress.

In this light, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority should seek to enjoin affected stakeholders and opinion leaders in the negotiations of these deals, as though the development of the silos will be detrimental to the fisher folks, the entire township is affected and a comprehensive agreement will leave both parties with no regrets at all. If the fisher folks make a good bargain to this effect, this problem will be solved amicably or their woes will continue to increase.

Prince Nunoo is a consultant and an inhabitant of Tema New Town