The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development says steps are being taken to ensure the long-awaited operationalisation of the James Town Fishing Harbour, nearly a year after its commissioning.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, during her appearance at the Government Accountability Series in Accra.
She stated that her ministry is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Transport to address the final hurdles preventing the facility from becoming fully operational.
“My ministry is responsible for fish, but the Ministry of Transport is responsible for the infrastructure. So the two of us are working together to, as soon as possible, operationalise the James Town Fishing Harbour,” she said.
According to the minister, key challenges such as the lack of water supply at the site are being resolved, and the government remains committed to making the harbour a fully functional hub for the fisheries sector.
“There are some issues, for example, there’s no water at the site but work is ongoing to address that. The vision for the harbour is going to be amazing,” she added.
The James Town Fishing Harbour was commissioned on September 13, 2024, by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
It was hailed as a landmark investment in Ghana’s fisheries sector, designed to boost local production, reduce the country’s dependence on imported fish, and improve the economic conditions of coastal communities.
The facility features a cold storage plant, fish processing centre, police and fire stations, and a crèche, all intended to support the entire fisheries value chain from catch to market.
When fully operational, the harbour is expected to generate approximately 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, primarily for the youth within the Ga community and surrounding coastal areas.
It is also expected to improve the handling, processing, and marketing of fish products, boosting both productivity and incomes for fisherfolk.
The James Town Fishing Harbour, once operational, is expected to become a key pillar of Ghana’s blue economy agenda.
