Tema fishermen demand to know health implications of power barge

Fisher folks at the Tema Canoe Beach have appealed to the Ministry of Heath and the other stakeholders to research into the effect of inhaling smoke emanating from the Karpower Ship located at the Tema Fishing Harbour.

The Karpower ship which has an installed capacity of 235mw started operation in Ghana in December 2015.

Since the commencement of its operations, the power ship has been producing an average of 210mw of power to the national grid.

According to them, even though operators of the Karpower Ship claim there were no health hazards associated with its operation, residents believed that every smoke emitted into the atmosphere  has some implications for humans.

Nii Odametey II, Chief Fisherman for Tema Awudum, told the Ghana News Agency that it would be difficult for residents and fisher folks to ascertain such effects without the needed medical research.

Nii Odametey added that despite the fact that they often see the smoke from the power ship going up into the sky, they were aware that the smoke settles in the town and could pose some health problems to residents in future.

He also called for free health screening for residents of Tema Manhean at least twice a year to ensure that they do not contract any respiratory and other health problems.

Meanwhile, some residents have also expressed their displeasure at the ongoing power outages in the town in spite of the location of the barge at the beach.

Mr Gad Ofori Darko, and Mr Ashitei Amar, residents, indicated that they were disappointed at the load shedding they have been subjected to as they were made to believe that the power ship will solve the problem and provide sustainable power to them.

Meanwhile, Karpower Ship Ghana, has refuted claims their barge poses possible health hazard to the Tema Newtown residents.

A press statement issued to GNA by Miss Sandra Amarquaye, Corporate Communication Specialist for Karpower, stated that, “we strictly adhere to environmental standards and are committed to protecting the environment we operate in”.

The statement indicated that the carefully selected fuel type and the performance of its engines resulted in higher efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

The statement added “we continuously and regularly monitor our emissions to ensure we adhere to all Environmental Protection Agency and international standards to which we are bound”.

Management of Karpower however gave the assurance that they would continue to engage its stakeholders especially the fisher folks and residents of Tema Manhean to hear, investigate and address their concerns.

Source: GNA