The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye has revealed that financing has been received under the China Development Bank, (CDB) Loan Facility for the construction of ten (10) of the Landing Sites which will commence in the last quarter of 2019.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mad. Afoley Quaye said, “it is gratifying to note that His Excellency the President, Nana Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for the Axim and Moree fish landing sites during the official tour of the central and Western Regions from 24th to 26th July 2019”.
In her answer to a parliamentary question asked by Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor on when The Tongor-Dzemeni fish landing site will be constructed, The Minister said, the list of the sites under the CDB Loan Facility, “does not include the fish landing site for Dzemeni in the Volta Region”.
She said the Ministry of Transport (MOT) is currently leading the construction of the landing sites with the support from MoFAD stressing that, “The two Ministries (MoFAD and MoT) are working closely to ensure that the landing sites are constructed taking into account the concerns of the fisheries sector”.
The Ministry of Transport is therefore in position to brief this august House about the status of the landing site at Dzemeni and all the other sites, Madam Aforley Quaye emphasized.
As part of the modernization of the fisheries sector, the Ministry has planned to construct twelve (12) landing sites and two (2) Mini Harbours in selected fishing communities including Dzemeni in the Volta Region.
The fish landing sites when completed are expected to facilitate the safe launching and landing of artisanal fishing canoes, create and maintain a hygienic environment for fishing handling, prevent and minimize post-harvest losses, as well as add value to fish caught by artisanal fishermen.
It should be noted that for all the fish landing sites, feasibility studies and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAs) have been completed, The Minister assured.
Story filed by Edzorna Francis Mensah
