Jamestown Fishing Harbour Inaugurated: A Major Boost to Ghana’s Fisheries Sector

Current Affairs : Jamestown Fishing Harbour Inaugurated: A Major Boost to Ghana’s Fisheries Sector

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially inaugurated the long-anticipated Jamestown Fishing Harbour in Accra, a landmark project aimed at transforming Ghana’s fisheries sector. The harbour, which had been in development for decades, now features a wide array of modern amenities, including a fish market, a 60-tonne ice-making plant, a 200-tonne cold store, a repair workshop, daycare facilities, and police and fire stations. During the inauguration, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the project’s significance in promoting prosperity and job creation within the local community and beyond. The President highlighted that the inclusion of infrastructure like daycare centres reflects the government’s commitment to supporting women in the fishing community, allowing them to work with the assurance that their children are safe. He hailed the harbour as a project of “national importance” that will generate employment, empower the domestic economy, and revitalize the lives of traders and fishers in Jamestown.

The President expressed his satisfaction in fulfilling a long-standing promise, noting that after many years of rhetoric, his administration had taken concrete steps to complete the project. He praised the resilience of the local fishers, acknowledging the fishing industry’s pivotal role in Ghana’s economy, with 2.6 million people relying on it for their livelihoods.

Dignitaries at the event included high-ranking government officials, such as Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa. The project was realized through a collaboration involving the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, and financial assistance from China. It is expected to generate over 4,000 jobs and boost the local economy.

The Jamestown Fishing Harbour is poised to enhance fish production, storage, and distribution, reduce post-harvest losses, and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the Jamestown community. The project underscores China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ghana while promoting infrastructure development in the region.

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