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Ultramodern fish processing factory
opened at Elmina
Elmina (C/R), March 21, GNA - The Minister of Fisheries, Mrs
Gladys Asmah on Tuesday inaugurated a two point five
million-dollar ultramodern fish-processing factory dubbed
"CG Elmina" at Elmina.
Covering a landscape of 10,000 square metres with a staff of
40 the factory consist of a processing plant, a 400-ton
capacity cold store, a 20-ton flake ice maker and an office
as well as living accommodation.
Owned by the China International Fisheries Corporation (CIFC)
and the Lisk family of Legon Fisheries, the factory the
first of its kind in the country would process fish both for
the local market and export.
Speaking at the ceremony Mrs Asmah expressed the hope that
the efforts of the company would go a long way to boost the
government's efforts in making the private sector the engine
of growth.
She stated that the Ministry was established to ensure the
development and modernisation of the fishing industry to
create jobs and wealth for the people.
It is for this reason that the Ministry had initiated a
number of programmes and projects in fishing communities to
enhance their living conditions, Mrs Asmah said.
The Minister said the government had distributed 600
outboard motors valued a 13.8 billion cedis to fishing
groups on hire purchase and disbursed 11.1 billion cedis to
about 5,000 fishmongers as micro-credit.
The Ministry had concluded an arrangement with the Spanish
government for the provision of cold storage facilities in
six communities including Shama, New Takoradi, Moree,
Gomoa-Nyanyano and Senya-Bereku at a cost of seven million
Euro to ensure food security.
The Ministry has concluded a bilateral agreement with
another development partner for the construction of fishing
harbours in six fishing communities including Elmina, Mrs
Asmah stated.
It was also in contact with a number of institutions in
China, Israel, South Korea and the United Kingdom for
Aqua-cultural development in the country.
Land had already been acquired at Beposo in the Western
Region for Tilapia production, the Minister said and
disclosed that part of the fish from the project would be
used to feed the Elmina Fish Processing factory.
Mr Zhang Keyuan, Chinese Ambassador, said apart from
enhancing bilateral relations between China and Ghana, the
factory would also help create employment.
He described the CIFC as a vibrate company, which would play
an important role in Ghana's fishing industry.
The Chinese Ambassador said apart from supporting Ghana in
the areas of road construction, hospitals and the
Bui-Hydro-plant, China would soon introduce a new hybrid
rice in the country, which could double local production.
He said China and Ghana had so many things in common and
stressed the commitment of his country to support Africa
particularly Ghana.
Nana Ato Arthur, Central Regional Minister, thanked the
chiefs and people of Elmina for the land and expressed
happiness that the factory has been established in the
region.
He urged the people to consider the factory as their own and
to work honestly to ensure that its objectives were met for
the mutual benefit of all.
Mr Chen Shulin, Chairman of CIFC, said the establishment of
the factory had opened a new chapter in the history of China
and Ghana relations and commended the government, chiefs and
people of Elmina and the Ministry of Fisheries for their
support.
Mr Eugene Adakwa-Addai, Quality Control Manager of the Ghana
Standards Board, asked the management to put in place
measures to ensure hygienic conditions at the factory to
ensure food safety.
He also advised them to employ qualified and competent
professionals to manage the factory and to ensure regular
technical training for the staff.
Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, Omanhene of Edina Traditional Area,
thanked the company for selecting Elmina for the factory and
stressed that it would go long way to reduce post harvest
loses in the area and increase the income of fishermen.
He appealed to the company to help in the training of local
fishermen in modern methods of fishing.
GNA
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