Cape Coast, June 17, GNA - Nana Kwamina Nyimfa IX, Adontenhene of Oguaa Traditional Area, on Tuesday assured citizens of Cape Coast that, preparations towards celebration of Oguaa Fetu Afahye in September was on course.

He noted that the celebration would take place despite threats by some fishermen and Asafo companies to withdraw their allegiance to Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Oguaahene and not participate in the festival.

He gave the assurance at a press conference in Cape Coast "to clear the air" on the issue and stressed that the threats would not in any way, affect the celebration of the festival. Nana Nyimfa pointed out that the threats did not have the backing of the Chief Fisherman and leaders of the Asafo groups. On May 15, this year, some fishermen and members of Asafo companies issued the threat alleging that Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Oguaahen, had awarded a contract for the winning of sand around the Fosu Lagoon thereby endangering their sources of livelihood. Nana Nyimfa explained that Oguaahen had not awarded any contract and the contractor won the contract from Minerals Commission based on scientific research from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Central Region to help save the lagoon.

He said the contract was in the best interest of not only the fishermen but residents of Cape Coast. Osabarima Kwesi Atta appealed to the fishermen to seek clarification from the Council on matters they did not understand and assured them that the Council had negotiated for funds to dredge the Lagoon. Mr Godwin Sepogah, Programmes Officer at EPA, said since 2001 Minerals Commission, EPA and other stakeholders had deliberated on strategies to restore the lagoon and arrived at three measures. These are to remove the sand bar around the lagoon to allow inflow of sea water to check aquatic waste and control the spread of water hyacinth that facilitates the breeding of Mansonia mosquito and to stem the possible outbreak of elephantiasis. The rest are to expand the bridge over the lagoon, that has been done and to dredge it for restoration.

Mr Sepogah said the lagoon would be a "gold mine" for Cape Coast when well managed as a tourist attraction to generate income and appealed to the fishermen and all residents to allow the appropriate institutions to work towards its restoration. He appealed to the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly to relocate the mechanics at Siwudu, a suburb of Cape Coast to their proposed new site at Mempeasem near Cape Coast, to ensure waste from their operations did not enter the Lagoon.

Mr Sepogah said the contractor winning the sand was being monitored and the contract was scheduled to end by October this year.