Fish processing factory for Elmina soon

Plans are far advanced for work to begin on the construction of a fish processing factory at Elmina in May this year.

An Indian firm, which has expressed interest to invest in the project, has completed a feasibility study on it and work will soon start.

When completed, the factory will not only generate employment for a large number of people in the area but also process all left-over fish during bumper harvest which were hitherto thrown back into the sea due to lack of market.

The residue will also be processed into animal feed for poultry and other animals, Mr. Isaac Kweku Sam, Municipal Chief Executive for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem, said on Tuesday.

He said the Benya lagoon would be desilted and the bridge leading to the fish market and the Elmina Castle would be renovated soon.

The Deputy Central Regional Minister, Mr. Aquainas Tawiah Quansah, said the government was in the process of importing more fishing inputs such as fishing nets and outboard motors for fishermen to buy on hire purchase whilst the women would have access to loans and “Chorker smoker.”

The Chief Fisherman of Elmina, Nana Akonu I, appealed to the President to redeem his campaign promise to build a fish market and a habour at Elmina to rejuvenate the town’s economic life.

Mr. Quansah paid similar visits to Moree and Komenda where the chief fishermen, Nana Kweegya VII and Nana Kwesi Akwa appealed to the government to redeem its pledge to construct landing sites for their beaches to stem the practice where they are forced to land elsewhere to sell their catch.

Source: GNA