District Chief Executive for Apam, Bismark Baisie Nkum says the construction of the landing beach in the area will make Apam regain its status as the once vibrant fishing hub in the region.
He added that it will as well boost economic activities in the area.
According to him, although successive governments have failed to provide them with a landing beach, the New Patriotic Party is ready to deliver on its promise.
“66 years ago, the community contributed monies towards the construction of a landing beach but that dream did not materialize and in 2007, former President Kufuor cut sod for the construction of the project and unfortunately the New Patriotic Party lost power and was handed over to the National Democratic Congress but for eight years nothing was done. Rather what happened was that the community paid two thousand cedis to the then NDC administration for site plan something that was quite unusual so as we assumed office, President Akufo Addo decided to take up the project,” the DCE for Apam noted.
Speaking to Citi News at a town hall meeting the DCE indicated that the lack of landing beach forced majority of its residents to migrate elsewhere for greener pastures.
“Majority of our people had to move to Elmina, Accra, Secondi, Tema and even Gomoa Nyayanno area to fish,” the DCE explained.
He was optimistic that the siting of the landing beach will create jobs for the people of Apam adding it will as well boost economic activities in the once vibrant fishing hub.
“When the construction of the landing beach is complete my people will get jobs to do and that I am sure of,” Bismark Baisie Nkum added.
He also indicated that compensations will be paid to individuals whose properties are affected in the construction of the landing beach.
Construction of Landing Beach in the Central Region
Earlier this year, President Nana Akufo-Addo on his tour of the Central Region promised to build some 10 landing beaches across the country and the Central Region will be one of the beneficiaries of the project.
The 235 million dollar project when completed is aimed at creating and maintaining a hygienic environment for the processing and handling of fish.
Beneficiary communities in the Central Region include Winneba, Apam, Senya Bereku, Gomoa Fetteh, and Moree.
The construction of the project will also increase export volumes and directly increase the foreign exchange volume of the country.