Elmina fish processing plant project on course despite opposition from chiefs
Work on a fish processing plant project which has generated a lot of controversy in Elmina is on-going despite warnings from the Edina chiefs for it to stop.
The project being constructed by Expotec International, an Indian firm with E-Speedway Construction Limited, a Ghanaian company as sub-contractors, is funded by the Exim Bank of India.
President John Dramani Mahama last month broke the ground to signify the commencement of the project which will have a fishing habour attached to it to help boost fishing industry in the area but the Edina Traditional Council boycotted the ceremony with the reason that they were not consulted.
The Council led by Nana Kodwo Condua VI, Omanhene of Edina, had said that the venue for the project popularly known as “Marine,” serves not only as the recreational facility for fisher-folks, but also an abode for some of their gods.
Last Tuesday, a delegation numbering about 15 from the Traditional Council stormed the project site to warn workers on site to stop the project or face their wrath.
When the Ghana News Agency visited the site on Thursday it was detected that workers were busily going about their work..
The site engineer, Mr. Prosper Akoto, told the GNA that until it received a directive from the Ministry of Fisheries to stop work, he would not heed to threats from the Traditional Council.
He said there were instances where workers reported to work early in the morning to find fetish items on site but added that they would not be scared by those items.
Many fisher-folks interviewed appealed for an amicable settlement of the matter, saying the project would benefit all the people of Elmina and beyond and must therefore be carried out to ensure job creation and also boost their economic activities.
Papa Kwamena Maluda, a canoe owner urged the chiefs, the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) authorities as well as the Ministry of Fisheries to deliberate on the issue and find a lasting solution to help move Elmina forward.
Mr. John Quayson, popularly known as Manoma, a boat owner and a member of the National Premix Committee, said the land in question was for the fisher-folks and since the project is for their own good they should rally behind the authorities.
Source: GNA