Chamber of Commerce moves to relocate Oguaa GARAGES

The Central Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has initiated a bold move towards relocating members of the Ghana National Association GARAGES to Mempeasem, a suburb of Cape Cape.

The move has been described by many as ‘historic' as several attempts over the last 35 years to relocate the artisans had been unsuccessful.

Currently, most of the members of the GARAGES are located at siwdu, near the Siwdu Sports stadium where quantities of oil from cars are discharged daily into drains which end up in the Fosu lagoon due to its proximity.

The initiative is being done in collaboration with the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, Coastal Development Authority, University of Cape Coast, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Tourism Authority among others with funding from BUSAC.

Mr. Tony Yoofi Pokoo-Aikins, the Regional Chairman of the Chamber, at a stakeholder’s sensitisation forum on the relocation noted that the relocation will allow the much anticipated rejuvenation of the Fosu lagoon into a multipurpose tourist site a reality.

He explained that the Fosu lagoon which had been grossly polluted by the artisans with solid and liquid wastes had for years endangered aquatic life.

"Many of the artisans especially the mechanics known locally as "fitters" have resorted to dumping their solid waste into the lagoon thereby destroying the aquatic organisms."

"Therefore, as members of the Chamber, we are committed to peacefully relocating them to a modern centre where their solid and liquid waste could be put into proper use to create revenue and jobs.

Presenting a report on a research finding on the relocation of Siwdu GARAGES to Mempeasem, Reverend Haruna Ndebugri, a Senior Lecture at the Cape Coast Technical University who led the research described the Fosu lagoon as a ‘milk cow’ which if well developed to increase revenue, attract investments and improve the standard of living of the citizens through employment creation.

However, artisans such as welders, mechanics, spare parts dealers and GARAGES by the lagoon operations have grossly polluted it, preventing potential use for tourism development and other activities, hence the urgent need to relocate them.

The research done using convenience sampling found out that the proposed relocation lingering for years, has had about 300 acres of land earmarked for the relocation, however only 20 acres had been paid for since 2014.

Some of the members of the GARAGES indicated that about 48 acres were available at different places at Mempeasem that could be considered while others preferred different areas like Aggrey Memorial Zion school, Ghana National and the Electricity Company Area.

The research among others recommended that the relocation of the GARAGES to Mempeasem should be done but social amenities, security, among others must be addressed first by the Assembly with proper documentation on land ownership, leasing options and the legal implications.

The Assembly should as well make good its promise and ensure that a police barrier was moved beyond it to allow free flow of cars.

There should also be proper customer service training to be offered to operators of the GARAGES to help them develop good customer services thereby maintaining continuous patronage for their services irrespective of the distance to the Mempeasem site.

During an open forum, various stakeholders took turns to express their views on the proposed relocation and possible drawbacks and way forward.

Mr. Patrick King Kojo Aidoo, the Interim Management Chairman of the GARAGES, expressed its readiness to move only if the Assembly will provide the needed amenities to ensure their comfortable stay.

He particularly mentioned the need for the proposed site to be given adequate infrastructural facilities, access roads drainage systems among others.