The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, cut the sod yesterday for the construction of a mini-harbor and fish landing site in Axim, in the Western Region.
The project is set to be executed by China Harbor and Engineering Company (CHEC) over a 30-month period and will involve the construction of breakwater, a quay wall, dredging and ancillary facilities.
According to the President Akufo-Addo, the construction of the project, which started in 2007 and was abandoned after the 2008 elections when the New Patriotic Party government of President John Agyekum Kufuor exited office, is a commitment of his government towards the growth and development of the fishing industry.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye , who was also present at the event, said that “the completion of the landing site will help increase the productivity of fishers by providing safe place for berthing of canoes and fish handling. It will ensure safety of fishing gears and properties, improve hygienic handling of fish and fishery products to meet international standards for export.”
During the ceremony, the President Akufo-Addo also noted that the sod-cutting ceremony is a symbolic one, marking the simultaneous start of the construction of other landing sites in Senya Beraku, Dixcove, Elmina, Moree, Mumford, Winneba, Gomoa Fetteh, Teshie and Keta.