Landing site c’ttee inaugurated

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD) has inaugurated a nine-member committee on landing sites to assist the ministry to supervise the construction of landing sites in selected coastal areas.

The committee is tasked to review all designs and work of consultants on the landing site construction, advise the ministry on objectives, supervise the construction, bring on board any other issue that will help the landing sites and submit quarterly reports to the sector minister.

The committee members include the acting Chief Director of MOFAD, Professor Francis K. Nunoo, who chairs the committee; Mr Michael Arthur-Dadzie, Director at the Fisheries Commission; Mr E. M. Mensah, the Board Chairman of the Fisheries Commission; Mr Alfred Y. Tetebo, Special Advisor on Marine, and Mr Thomas Insadoo, Head of Projects, Fisheries Commission.

The rest are Captain Inusah Abdul-Nasir, Ghana Maritime Authority; Mr Collins Owusu Ansah, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority; a representative of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Mr Enock Boadu Amo, MOFAD, Secretary to the committee.

14 Sites

The Deputy Minister of MOFAD, Mr Francis Kingsley Ato Codjoe, said the government was determined to construct 14 landing sites in selected towns along the coast and at important fishing landing sites.

According to him, the landing sites would have a fish market, cold storage facilities, repair facilities, day care centres and clinics among others to enable the fishermen access basic first aid at the landing beaches and also improve sanitation to meet international standards for export.

He noted that the landing sites would also serve as a useful entry point for participatory development planning in artisanal fisheries.

Mr Codjoe said the consultant who designed the landing sites in 2007 was contacted last year to review the designs to form the basis for soliciting for funds.

“It is worth noting that funds have been allocated under a Chinese facility for the construction of the James Town mini harbour,” he stated.

He indicated that the Ministry of Finance had also given the approval for MOFAD to take the necessary steps to clear the site, provide access route and all the necessary steps to fulfil the government side of the agreement with the Chinese.