Fisherfolk in Jamestown, a suburb of Accra, are growing increasingly anxious about the possibility of being excluded from using the newly constructed $60 million fishing harbour, despite government assurances to the contrary. The project, which is 99% complete, promises to revolutionize fishing in the community with improved facilities. However, the presence of Chinese inscriptions on the harbour’s buildings has fueled concerns among the local fishermen, leading them to fear that they might be sidelined.
The harbour, funded through a grant from China, has followed the typical pattern of Chinese-funded projects in Ghana, with initial inscriptions in Chinese. This has created unease among the Jamestown community, particularly the fishermen, who view the Chinese signage as a potential sign that they will not have access to the harbour.
In an interview, Chief Fisherman of Jamestown, Nii Armah Wulu II, emphasized the need for clear communication and guarantees to secure their livelihoods. He expressed the concerns of the fishermen, stating, “The fisherfolk here are many and fishing is the source of our livelihood, but with regards to the harbour, we don’t know our fate because if you go into the premises the Chinese inscription is so much on the walls, which is an indication that the project will not be given to us. There has to be some form of engagement because there are agitations amongst us.”
The fisherfolk are also advocating for the new harbour to be designed in a way that accommodates their traditional fishing practices, ensuring that they can continue their trade without disruption.
