President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially opened the state-of-the-art Jamestown fishing Harbour complex in Accra.
The new harbour complex, constructed with a $60-million grant from China, is expected to transform the local economy, generate employment, improve the lives of fisherfolks and increase domestic fish production.
It is designed to address some of the long-standing challenges faced by Ghana’s artisanal fishing sector.
These include the safe launching and landing of canoes, improved fish handling, and enhanced storage capacities.
The complex is equipped with a range of modern facilities, including a 200-capacity fish market, a 60-tonne ice-making plant, a 200-tonne cold store, and market stalls, a day-care centre among others.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Friday, President Akufo-Addo underscored the symbolic and practical importance of the new facility.
“This moment is the culmination of years of effort and the realization of a long-held dream that began as far back as 1965.
“Promises were made, hopes were raised, but no substantial action was taken—until now. Today, we move beyond rhetoric to action,” the President pointed out.
The construction of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour after decades of neglect is in fulfilment of President Akufo-Addo government’s promise to restore Ghana’s fishing industry and raise the living standards of local fisherfolks.
He has therefore expressed satisfaction with the project’s completion.
President Akufo-Addo recalled the day in December 2018 when he cut the sod for the project, as well as the sceptics who doubted the harbour’s completion.
“In October 2020, I returned to inspect the progress, and today, here we stand together as witnesses to the fulfilment of that commitment,” he recalled.
Highlighting the socio-economic significance of the project, President Akufo-Addo said the harbour was an investment in the future of the community, and a symbol of hope and proof of the resilience and determination of the people.
“This is a concrete manifestation of what we can achieve when we work together for the common good,” he said.
Job creation
President Akufo-Addo said the commissioning of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour followed the successful completion of the Elmina Fishing Port in May 2023, another landmark project under his administration aimed at transforming Ghana’s fishing industry.
He reiterated his government’s understanding of the critical role agriculture and fisheries play in Ghana’s economy, noting that the fishing sector supports over 2.6 million livelihoods and contributed US$263.2 million to the nation’s GDP in 2020.
“This harbour is not just a monument to progress; it is a vital lifeline for socio-economic empowerment, job creation, and improved livelihoods. We are investing in superior infrastructure to reduce post-catch losses, improve fish catches, and reduce our dependence on imported fish,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
During the construction phase of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour, some 500 direct jobs were created, with expectations for more as the facility becomes fully operational.
The harbour’s completion is also expected to revitalise the entire community, sparking economic activity and growth in the region.
