President Nana Akufo-Addo has cut the sod to commence the construction of Elmina fishing port rehabilitation and expansion project in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality.

The €85 million project, which is to boost the fishing industry in the Municipality, was initiated as part of the President's three-day working visit to the Central Region.

It is a continuation of a facelift project of the Elmina short/medium-term plan, which is in line with government’s ongoing programme to rehabilitate and construct fishing ports and landing sites along the coastal stretch of the country.

Scheduled to complete in 12 months, the project which is located at the entrance of the Benya lagoon will consist of a new fishing harbour with a new 'breakwater' and a quay to enable large vessels to dock and offload safely.

In addition to the proposed dredging and reclamation works of Benya lagoon, it will guarantee the sustainable revitalization of the town and the long-term development of the strategic project.

It will also strengthen Elmina's position in the fishing and salt industries and place the city at the heart of the cultural ambition of the government along the coast.

Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo underlined the immense contribution the sector will generate in terms of employment and addition to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He noted that the project will be a key to the development of the fishing industry and would additionally bring about job creation and increase the food and nutritional values of the people of the area and Ghana at large.

He assured that government was working assiduously to build more fishing infrastructure along the coastal stretch of Ghana with innovative policies and programmes to sustain the sector.

The President was optimistic that the newly-developed waterfront will have a significant positive influence on tourism activities in the Elmina enclave and called on all to support him to achieve it.

The Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan on his part, enumerated the massive social infrastructural projects, factories, and unrivaled investments in agriculture, fishing- landing beaches among others.

He pledged government's determination to construct more fisheries and coastal infrastructure with ancillary facilities to better a lot of fishers.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Omanhen of Elmina Traditional Area, Nana Kojo Condua XI expressed gratitude to the President for the honour done the historical city of Elmina.

He further called on all to be optimistic and render their unalloyed support to complete the project as scheduled.

He pleaded with the President to ensure that the Edina Traditional Council got its share of the revenue from the Elmina Castle and thanked the government for the quantities of outboard motors distributed to fishermen to aid their fishing expeditions.

Sector Ministers including Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Minister; Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister; Samuel Atta Akyea, Works and Housing Minister and Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Transport, took turns to address the elated jubilant people who showered praises on government.