The government of Ghana has announced plans to dredge the Tema Chemu Lagoon in an effort to boost the fishing industry.
The lagoon, which was once a thriving aquatic habitat, has become heavily polluted with industrial and household wastes, making it unsuitable for fishing.
The Ghana Port and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Fishing Habour Management and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) will work together to dredge the lagoon and create a better drainage system.
Fisherman at the Tema Canoe Basin have been calling for the attention of government authorities for over ten years, and their pleas have finally been heard.
A meeting was held with stakeholders in the fishing industry to discuss the upcoming dredging and the need to protect the ecosystem.
Operations Manager of Tema Fishing Harbour, Adelina Amoyaw highlighted the need for the lagoon to be dredged.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for TMA, Yohane Armah Ashitey called for cooperation in order to complete the dredging quickly and successfully.
The government has also announced plans to prosecute industries that fail to treat their effluent before discharging it into water bodies.
The people of Tema New Town expressed gratitude for the upcoming project, which they say will bring life back to the lagoon.
By Vincent Kubi