Japan international cooperation (JICA) has organized a tour to inspect the ongoing projects at the Sekondi Fishing Harbour with GPHA and representatives of the Japanese embassy.

Expansion work on the Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour at Sekondi in the Western Region which begun in 2016 with a Japanese grant of $20 million is on progress.

The Sekondi fishing harbour which is located in Sekondi- Takoradi District occupying about 20okm out of the 500km of total length of coast line. The harbour is one of 2 major fishing harbours in the country next to large Tema fishing harbour and is the main fishing harbour base used by many inshore vessels and canoes as their mother harbour.

The project for the construction of Sekondi Fishing Port was implemented by Japanese Grant Aid Cooperation (JICA) in 1988 as phase-1.

The second phase of the expansion project which is being carried out by the “ECOH CORPORATION”, a Japanese Consulting Engineers, is expected to be completed in December 2017.

Speaking at the meeting the Director of Port (Takoradi) Capt. Eben Afadzi stated that the purpose of the meeting is to provide 1st hand information on the expansion of the fishing harbour and to know the progress of the project.

Mr. Hitoshi Taekemoto, consultant of ECOH Cooperation said the funding of the project by the Japanese government must be put into good use and to serve as a manifestation of what the Japanese government is doing for this country.

The Japanese government is concerned about the positives that will come out of the expansion on the completion of the project and the benefits that will be achieved as a country and for the region.

A representative of the Japanese group explained the project component. He said the construction of additional lay-by wharf to improve the existing breakwater with a length of 180m and a crown width of 15.5m, access driveway with canoe berthing facilities with length of 324m and crown width (driveway: 5m, pedestrian walk: 2m), construction of ice making plant of floor area of 444.0m²and ice making machine to produce 15tonnes of ice per day, the construction of an additional administration office of expansion area of 384.3m² and passage area of 12.4m², pavement of the area behind fish handling shed with parking lot area 695.85m², in port road area of 1,410.62m², drainage ditch length 340.5m, demolish/ removal of existing seawater pump of 15.00m² in area, water supply facility with 120m³ reservoir and high tank of 12m³, fuel oil tank site of trenches for piping with 139.7m.

Mr. Tomonari Takeuchi a representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency said the expansion project which amounts to a cost of 20m dollars will be beneficial for both fisher folks and people of this country.

The main purpose for the construction of the ice making plant alone will help to increase the production and the preservation of more fishes. The production will be doubled by 15tonnes per day making it a total of 30 tonnes.

The expansion will accommodate more vessels. He further noted that JICA has conducted many projects but the main focus is on infrastructure with other fields such as medicine and agriculture. He is hoping GPHA will maintain the plant effectively and efficiently as they have done with the previous plant.

In an interview with our news team/GN Media Mr. Peter Guzee Cudjoe fishing Harbour Manager said there have been some few challenges especially with the fisher folks but with the intervention of marine police and GPHA security they are able to maintain law and order.

Present at the meeting was the director of Port (Takoradi) Mr. Ebenezer Afadzi, Mr. Tomonari Takeuchi a representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Mr. Hitoshi Taekemoto, consultant of ECOH Cooperation, Mr. Peter Guzee Cudjoe the fishing Harbour Manager, Mr. Yuki Takanashi first secretary embassy of Japan, Mr. Kinoshta the contractor and the media.