President Akufo-Addo has inspected ongoing work on the construction of the Elmina Fishing Harbour, as part of his 2-day working visit of the Central Region.
The 30-month project commenced on 1st August 2020 following the cutting of the sod by President Akufo-Addo.
The Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, revealed that the project is currently 91% complete, following the completion of the construction of the south breakwater, the north breakwater, sheet-piling, dredging, scour and ploughing, and reclamation works.
The Minister indicated that, currently, civil related infrastructure works including buildings, pavement works, roads and stormwater constructions are ongoing and will be completed on schedule.
“The ongoing construction of the breakwaters, quay walls, civil buildings, together with the dredging and reclamation works of the new port basin will guarantee the sustainable revitalization of Elmina and the long-term development of this strategic port.”
Kwaku Ofori Asiamah
The Elmina Fishing Port Rehabilitation and Expansion Project aims at constructing adequate facilities, berthing space and creating a deep marine access to ensure the durability of the Elmina harbour.
Elmina to become one of the most dynamic coastal cities
Furthermore, the Project will strengthen Elmina’s position on the fishing and salt industries and place the city at the heart of the cultural ambitions of the Akufo-Addo’s Government. This will invariably make Elmina one of the most dynamic coastal cities in Ghana.
In all, the Project will, first, see to upgrading existing facilities such as the administration building, the slipways, workshop, and the maintenance dredging of the existing Port.
Also, the Project will also include the construction of a new fishing harbour, with a main breakwater and a quay wall to enable larger fishing vessels to safely moor and offload, a dedicated access road to the Port, and a warehouse for storage.
Other new works include the construction of an additional administrative building; a shed for the fish market; a shed for fishing net mending; two Cold Stores and Ice factories; a new slipway for bigger vessels with a boat refurbishment area; a toilet block; and a day care centre.
Among other things, the Project will also provide beach and coastal protection works, as well as restoration of the area in front of the Elmina Castle, to enhance tourism.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo, has commissioned two factories operating under Government’s One-District-One-Factory initiative in the Central Region. He stated that it is the first time he had done so since becoming President, and will remain an unforgettable one.
President Akufo-Addo’s first port of call was the APPEB Cylinder Factory, which is currently employing some two hundred and fifty (250) people, and is expected to employ some five hundred (500) people at full capacity.
APPEB Company is the largest Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders manufacturing in Ghana, in terms of production capacity with an installed capacity of 4,000 to 5,000 (6kg /15kg) gas cylinders per day.
The current production capacity is about 2000 cylinders per day due to the current market demand. The company imports mild steal from China as the main raw material for production.
Speaking at the event, the President iterated government’s continued commitment to providing strategic support to companies and enterprises, such as APPEB, operating in Ghana.
“We will continue to enhance the existing incentive framework designed to make 1D1F designated companies more competitive and sustainable. The incentives, which include tax holidays, import duty waivers, and interest rate subsidies, are designed to help build the capacities and competitiveness of these enterprises, and to position them for greater productivity and efficiency.”
President Akufo-Addo
READ ALSO: First Round Of Polio Vaccination Ends Today
