Reception centres to be constructed for 43 landing beaches

The sod has been cut for the construction of modern reception centres for 43 landing beaches under the Coastal Sanitation Project.

Some coastal communities in the Western, Central, Greater Accra and Volta regions are to benefit from the project.

When completed, the centres will have sanitary facilities, biogas plants, boreholes, overhead water reservoirs and pavilions for the fishermen.

The facilities are also supposed to be used for hosting outdoor programmes such as health education, immunisation and  recreational activities.

Sanitation

At the sod-cutting ceremony at one of the centres at Axim last Saturday, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Ms Sherry Ayittey, implored stakeholders in the fishing industry to ensure proper sanitation at the landing sites.  explaining that that would ensure marketability of their fish on the international market.

“It is important to note that Ghana exports over $318,036,064 worth of fish to mostly European Union (EU) countries and, therefore, ensuring that our beaches are in good sanitary condition that meets international standards is critical,” she stated. 

The minister expressed concern over the fact that in spite of the huge export potential in the sector, “some fish exporters from Ghana are unable to meet the high international fish health standards”.

Insurance

Ms Ayittey explained that the focus of the government was to ensure that an enabling environment was created for all stakeholders in the fish industry.

She said in anticipation of natural disasters which could result in loss of fishing inputs, an insurance package had been introduced by the government.

“While some of the fishermen willingly subscribed to the insurance package, others refused the deal. I must say that following the recent disaster that resulted in the damage of boats, outboard motors and other inputs, those who were insured benefitted from the package,” she added.