The Dorcas Affo-Toffey, Deputy Minister for Transport, has visited the Jamestown Fishing Harbour in Accra, which has remained largely inactive since its commissioning.
The visit aimed to assess the harbour’s operations and identify ways to improve the facility. Madam Affo-Toffey was accompanied by the Emilia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, along with other officials from both ministries.
Construction of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour began in 2018 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The $60 million Chinese grant-funded project was designed to create employment for residents, boost trading activities, and generate revenue for the local community and the country. However, the project had experienced multiple delays, including five sod-cutting ceremonies by previous governments before construction actually commenced.
The Jamestown Fishing Harbour, a state-of-the-art facility, had been eagerly anticipated since the 1960s, when plans for a modern fishing port in the area were first proposed. President Akufo-Addo officially commissioned the harbour on Friday, September 13, 2024, four months before leaving office. Despite the commissioning, the facility had not yet operated at full capacity.
During her visit, Madam Affo-Toffey emphasized that the harbour would soon commence full operations. She explained that previous operational challenges, including water supply issues, have now been resolved through the intervention of the Transport Ministry and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
“The major problem was the water issue. Without water, they couldn’t operate. Now that it has been resolved, the ice plant is working, and the fish market is also operational,” she said.
She added that the final piece of the puzzle is the cold store, which is currently being prepared to begin operations.
“So our reason for being here is to see how they are working and what is delaying full operations. The iced plant is working, the fish market is operational, and the cold store is being readied to ensure the harbour functions fully,” Madam Affo-Toffey stated.
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