Tema Manhean, July 17, GNA- The canoe beach at the Tema Fishing Harbour is to have a face-lift with 145 stalls, sanitary facilities, lighting system, platform for mending fishing gear and the dredging of the approaches to the beach.

Mr Ishmael Ashitey, MP for Tema East and Deputy Minister of Trade in-charge of President's Special Initiative (PSIs), said this on Thursday at the sod cutting ceremony for work to begin on the 850 million cedis project funded by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

Mr Ashitey appealed to people who patronise the beach to ensure that it was not used for unproductive ventures considering the money invested in the project.

He said efforts are being made to source for funding to dredge the Chemu Lagoon, which is almost "dead" due to the discharge of waste materials by industries into it.

Major Samuel Ntow (RTD), Fishing Harbour Manager, said the GPHA was developing the beach in line with its community services programme. Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh, Tema Municipal Chief Executive, said the stalls would be leased out to the fishermen who would pay rent on them and the funds accruing would go into the maintenance of the structures. Nii Adjei Kraku 11, the Tema Mantse, appealed to the people to protect the facilities that would be put in place.