President Nana Addo-Dankwah Akufo-Addo has commissioned the newly constructed Elmina Fishing Harbour.
According to the president, the construction of the Fishing Harbour would serve as a big boost for the people of Elmina. "It would be a symbol of hope, progress and prosperity for the people of Elmina. I thank the people of Elmina for trusting the Akufo-Addo government to deliver this project which sod was cut on 20th August, 2020. I thank you for not listening to the naysayers", he stated.
President Akufo-Addo recounted that after the sod cutting ceremony the former President John Dramani Mahama raised doubt about the commitment of the government to seeing the project come to fruition "the perennial NDC presidential candidate came to Elmina 4 months after I've cut the sod later in December and described the fishing harbour 'Sakawa Fishing Harbour'", he recalled.
Speaking at the commissioning of the expanded Elmina Fishing Harbour on Friday, May 26, 2023, President Akufo-Addo added that President Mahama was emphatic that the project would not see the light of day but, he "is not God and I'm equally happy that he together with all naysayers are alive today to see President Akufo-Addo commissioning the Elmina Fishing Port", he shared to an applause from the audience.
Further, he added that the commissioning of the fishing harbour will boost fishing activities in the Elmina enclave as well as contributing immensely to the reduction of Ghana's unemployment rate.
The fishing sector contribute about 11% of the agricultural sector's annual GDP and employs about 20% of the country's workforce both directly and indirectly.
The Transport Minister, Hon. Kweku Ofori Asiamah present at the ceremony called on the media to help in educating the people of Elmina to adhere to proper maintenance culture of the fishing harbour to be of generational benefit to Elmina inhabitants.
The Director for the Western and Central Regions Port and Harbour, Mr. Ebenezer Afadzi, disclosed that the Authority will consider the citizenry of Elmina in its recruitment of personnels to work at the harbour.
The Authority currently has the services of only four individuals managing the project but will in no time seek applications to augment their numbers to ensure a proper operationalization of the Elmina Fishing Harbour.
