The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has sensitised the people of Mumford in the Central Region, on fishing ports and landing sites project, to be executed in the country.

The $196-million project, under the China Development Bank loan facility, is to enhance fishing in beneficiary communities.

The 11 ports and sites are to be built at Axim and Dixcove in the Western Region, Mumford, Moree, Elmina, Winneba, Senya Beraku and Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region, James Town and Teshie in the Greater Accra Region and Keta in the Volta Region.

Okumtwi Brebo Esanwadu VII, Mankrado of Mumford, said the people were happy about efforts being made by government to build the facilities to promote economic activities in the country’s coastal areas.

He said people in the fishing industry in Mumford owned more than 400 fishing vessels, which were being anchored at Elmina, Takoradi and other fishing communities due to the rocky nature of the Mumford shore.

Mr. Ebenezer E. Adoko, Secretary to the Mumford Town Development Committee, said in 1966, the people of the town were made to contribute to the building of a fishing harbour.

Mr. Francis Kojo Arthur, Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, said government had already secured loan and a contract signed for the implementation of the project.

He appealed to the people to cooperate with the contractors when work starts.

Alhaji Sulemana Husein, General Manager in charge of Engineering of GPHA, said building of the facilities would start simultaneously in all the 11 communities, in the last quarter of the year.

He said the facilities would have breakwater and berthing bays for boats and canoes, shed for selling fish, ice-making plants, administration block, access roads, electricity and water supply systems.