Accra, March 10, – The Government is considering plans to extend the breakwater at the Jamestown Fishing Harbour to address persistent siltation that continues to affect operations at the facility.
The proposed intervention is expected to improve navigation for fishing vessels, enhance efficiency at the harbour and support the livelihoods of fisherfolk while stimulating economic activities within the coastal community.
Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister for Transport, disclosed this during a working visit to the Jamestown Fishing Harbour and the Tema Port to assess operational challenges and explore solutions to improve efficiency.
He explained that inspections conducted at the harbour showed that the existing breakwater was too short, allowing sediments to accumulate rapidly within the facility.
Mr Nikpe said because of this structural limitation, dredging activities undertaken at the harbour often became ineffective after a short period.
According to him, the harbour becomes silted again within three to six months after dredging, making it necessary to carry out repeated and costly desilting exercises.
“If the breakwater is not extended, every three months we will have to desilt the harbour, which is very expensive,” he said.
He said government was therefore examining options to extend the breakwater while maintaining regular dredging works to ensure the harbour remained accessible to fishing vessels.
The Minister noted that the inspection also revealed some operational gaps, explaining that certain supporting infrastructure required to make the harbour fully functional were not provided when the facility became operational in 2023.
He cited the area designated for the repair of small fishing vessels, which currently cannot be effectively utilised because siltation prevents boats from accessing that section.
Mr Nikpe said the Government would collaborate with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture to address the challenges and improve operations at the harbour.
He also disclosed that a longstanding water supply challenge affecting the fishing market and fisherfolk at the facility had been resolved through collaboration between the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
According to him, water supply to the harbour has been restored, while a standby borehole is currently being mechanised to serve as a backup source.
Mr Nikpe said the Government was determined to ensure the harbour operates efficiently to support fisherfolk and strengthen economic activities in the area.
He added that improving the facility was also in line with efforts to promote round-the-clock economic activities under the proposed 24-hour economy policy of the Government led by John Dramani Mahama.
Mrs Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, said the management of the harbour required close collaboration between the fisheries sector and harbour authorities.
“Our interest is how to maximise the facilities here for the benefit of artisanal fishers in this country,” she said.
She noted that fisheries contributed about 60 per cent of Ghana’s animal protein intake, with between 75 and 80 per cent coming from artisanal fishers who depended heavily on facilities such as the Jamestown Fishing Harbour.
Mrs Arthur added that the harbour was equipped with infrastructure such as cold storage facilities, a fish market and a processing centre to support fishing activities and improve post-harvest handling.
She said the Ministry was working with the Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders to ensure that the facilities operated effectively.
GHBUSS
10 March 2026
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