The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has cut the sod for the construction of the Axim landing site to improve a lot of the fisher folks within the district.
The President said “I have engaged with the chief over the period, I know of the sea defence and fishing harbour,…I want the chief to know that I did not come here just to brag during the campaign period…what we are seeing today is indeed a fulfilment of such promise…I deliver on my promises.”
The President said the Axim sod cutting was a symbolic one for all regions with coastal facilities and prayed that the contractors would work within timelines for the people to use the facility on time.
“I should have gone to Dixcove for a similar programme but for the brutality on the Chief…I have asked that the perpetrators are brought to book”.
Mrs. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, the Minister of Fisheries said the Ministry identified three priority areas aquaculture, fishing and infrastructure to transform the sector to fit in the overall national agenda.
She said the Ministry was working hard to improve the sector to avoid high post-harvest losses and meet export standards, as well as raise the standard of living of the people in the area.
The Axim landing site project, which begins in 2007, was yet to see full completion.
The completion of the site would help improve fishing activities, ensure hygienic fish handling and provide adequate storage facilities as well as enhance values.
It would also provide exchange point for participatory value chain activities and decision making.
Mrs Afoley Quaye said the incentives would stimulate private sector involvement in aquaculture with lots of extension services provided for the people, “It is envisioned that such incentives would improve aquaculture and halt bad fishing practices”.
According to her, the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission would continue to rely on the Fisherfolks to enforce the close season, saying, “we are protecting the marine resources”.
Mr Kweku Ofori Asiamah, Transport Minister lauded the commitment of government towards the project and said government was delivering a promise of building mini ports for the conducive conduct of fishing activities.
Mr Asiamah said the coming on stream of the Axim landing site, the 11th landing site along the coast, would help the over ten per cent of the population engaged in the sector, adding that, the potential of the industry demanded that much attention was paid to it.
“This mini harbour will have a crèche, cold store and a market among others”.
He, therefore, urged the community to take responsibility for the project as stakeholders and keep an eye on the specification for successful delivery.
Source: Ghananewsagency.org
