Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe and Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, Emelia Arthur have pledged their resolve to fully operationalise the James Town Fishing Harbour.

The facility, which was completed in 2023 and commissioned in September 2024 by the erstwhile government, is yet to operate at full capacity due to high maintenance costs, heavy siltation from the Odaw River, inadequate fish supply from artisanal fishermen, and structural defects, among other challenges.

Addressing the media after a joint tour of the complex on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the two ministers announced a high-level collaboration to fix the challenges and defects in line with the 24-hour economy policy.

“It is our wish. We will resolve all the challenges and see the place operating in full capacity.” Mr. Nikpe said.

The breakwater bottleneck

Central to the facility’s struggles is a design flaw involving the breakwater, the protective sea wall meant to keep the basin calm and clear. According to the minister, the current structure is failing to block the massive influx of silt from the nearby Odaw River which flows into the sea.

“We have seen that there's a lot of work to be done here at the fishing harbour. We have noticed that the breakwater we have is too short, and any dredging that you do takes a maximum period of three to six months before it is silted again,” Nikpe told reporters.

“Meaning that if we do not extend the breakwater, we have to desilt the harbour every three months, which is extremely expensive.”

Mr. Nikpe warned that without an extension of the breakwater, the government would be trapped in a cycle of expensive, short-term fixes.

 Utility solutions and facility underutilisation

Left largely deserted, several facilities at the harbour are already beginning to deteriorate. A visit to the site revealed rusted roofs and structures, with many assets sitting idle at the mercy of the corrosive sea breeze.

The harbour’s high-tech assets, including its industrial ice plant, have been hampered by inconsistent utility supplies. To counter this, the Ministry is moving toward self-sufficiency.

“We are also resolving the issue of water supply with a borehole to serve as a backup to supply from the Ghana Water Company,” he said.

He also highlighted that while the harbour includes specialised workshops for vessel maintenance, the siltation has made it physically impossible for boats to reach the repair bays.

“We have a place for the repair of minor or smaller vessels, but because of the silt, we are unable to get those boats into the harbour. That is why the two of us are here. It is our wish that we will resolve all the challenges and see the place operating at full capacity.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur is optimistic that the collaboration will boost local fishing activities.

“It's evident that there are responsibilities for fishing and there are responsibilities for the harbour. Our interest is how to maximise the facilities here for the benefit of artisanal fishers in this country.” She added.

The James Town Fishing Harbour was built with a $60 million grant to modernize Accra’s artisanal fishing sector. When fully operational, it boasts of a total land area of 60,000 square meters with a cold storage facility of 1000 metric tonnes and ice production of 60 tonnes per day to preserve the catch of local fishers. The facility also has 248 stalls, 40 retail shops, and dedicated fish-processing zones aimed at boosting the fishing economy.