Elmina Fishermen calls for resumption of fish processing project

The controversy over the location of Elmina Fish Processing Plant project took a different twist on Monday when Canoe Owners told journalists that they support the current venue for the project.

The executives of Elmina Canoe Owners Association consequently issued a two-day ultimatum to Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Fisheries to order for the resumption of work or face their wrath.

Work on the 100 metric ton- fish processing plant project, commenced last September incurred the displeasure of the Elmina Traditional Council with reasons that they were not consulted for a suitable location.

Following the complaints by the Traditional Council, Mr Quansah ordered that the work should be put on hold. At a news conference, Nana Ackonu 1, Chief Fisherman of Elmina expressed dismay that the Deputy Minister failed to consult the fishing community before calling for a halt to the project.

The canoe owners wearing red head and hand bands accused the traditional council of stalling all development projects in the area. They said they would resist any attempt by anybody to thwart the efforts of the government to bring development to the locality.

Nana Ackonu explained that the project was a promise made to the fishing community by the late President John Evans Atta Mills and therefore President John Mahama is pursuing it to help enhance living standards of the people.

He therefore called on the President to continue with the work and also as a matter of urgency repair the bridge on the Benya Lagoon that link the fish market and the Elmina Castle to forestall disaster.

Nana Ackonu said the fish processing plant would boost economic activities in the area and also create jobs for its teeming youth and appealed to all fishermen to support it for their own good.

Mr Eric Essuah, Assemblyman for Berase in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality explained the details of the project to the fishers, saying it has special facilities including a cold store, an assembly hall, a day-care centre, store rooms and stalls for fishmongers to ply their trade.