Some junkies and commercial sex workers have taken over part of the Albert Bosomtwi-Sam (ABS) Fishing Harbour in Sekondi, plying their nefarious activities there.
According to the authorities of the fishing harbour, some of the junkies smoke openly, and indicated that the situation is worrying and demands the attention of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA).
They could not understand why the assembly should allegedly sit aloof for things to get out of hand.
The Manager of the ABS Fishing Harbour, Henry Papa Oppong, disclosed this when he was given the opportunity to address members of the STMA at their sitting on Wednesday.
He revealed that the western side of the fishing harbour shares a wall with a land belonging to the STMA, and on the land are junkies who have been there for years erecting all sorts of structures, adding, “And STMA seems to be doing nothing about it.”
From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi
According to him, the situation has led to an increase in criminal activities in the area.
He also asserted that brothels could be found at the place, with girls aged 15 to 19 engaging in prostitution.
“Commercial sex workers have erected sheds for their trade and engage in various activities, endangering the peace the people have to enjoy at the harbour,” he indicated.
He, therefore, called for a collaborative effort between all the entities operating in the area, including the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Navy, Fisheries Enforcement unit, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the STMA to deal with the situation.
“In this era when people are talking about blue economy and how to sustain the ocean, when you go to the Naval Base end of the harbour, the sea is black.
“This could be attributed partly to the fact that some people defecate in the area, while others throw all sorts of rubbish into the sea,” he added.
The Harbour Manager mentioned that at a point when the major stakeholders decided to organise clean-up exercise in the area every Tuesday, the chief fisherman at the fishing harbour did not agree.
“There was a plan to construct a toilet facility to serve the large number of people who visit the fishing harbour, but the chief fisherman said ‘no way’, because he was not consulted at the initial stages,” he told the assembly members.
He continued, “So as we speak, there is no toilet facility at one of the country’s best fishing harbours. This is embarrassing.”
He said, “Elmina Fishing Harbour just came onboard, but the Omanhene in that area has collaborated with the chief fisherman there to ensure sanity at the new facility.”
Responding, the Coordinating Director of STMA, Innocent Haligah, disagreed with the manager that the assembly was sitting aloof and doing nothing about the situation at the ABS Fishing Harbour.
“We are working on the matter, and next year you will see some actions,” he assured.