Minister of Fisheries inspect James Town Beach

Accra, March 23, GNA - A Dutch Consultancy Company would in April 2006 conduct a feasibility studies and design six fishing harbours at James Town; Mamford; Axim; Elmina; Abotoase and Dzemeni. Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries, who announced this on Thursday, told the residents and fisher folks in and around James Town that the construction of the proposed harbour at the beach would start before the close of the year.

During a tour of the James Town beach in Accra to inspect the area earmarked for the construction of the harbour, Mrs Asmah allayed the fears and misconception of the people that the beach was going to be modernised and taken away from the people. "We only want to develop the place and make it neat so everyone will feel comfortable to do business here. Fishers will have a cold store, blast freezing, ice plant and fish market so they will conveniently go about their business here", Mrs Asmah indicated.

During the interaction, Mr Samuel Botwe Aryee and Nii Kpakpo Okoso II, Acting Secretary, Ga Mashie Canoe Fishermen and Sempe Chief Fisherman, respectively, told the Minister that their first need was a cold store because most of their catches went bad during bumper harvest.

They, therefore, welcomed the idea of the harbour project but insisted that a cold store should be built for them "as soon as possible before the whole project start".