Fishermen threaten demo over unpaid compensation

Fishermen operating on the coastline of Tema have threatened to embark on a demonstration exercise against the Meridian Ports Services (MPS) because the company had refused to compensate them despite earlier assurances.

According to the fishermen, the company had disregarded a compensation agreement they had with the company prior to the commencement of the Tema Port expansion project in 2016.

A press statement signed by Mr Adjetey Tawiah, Secretary of the Canoe Owners Association in Tema, stated that MPS and all its allied stakeholders are yet to fulfill promises made to the fishermen who were affected by the activities of the Tema Port expansion project.

Mr. Adjetey noted that, per the conditions agreed in 2016, an amount of 1.5 million dollars was to be shared among the five landing beaches which included, Nungua, Sakumono, Tema Newtown, Kpone and Prampram.

According to him, none of the fisher folks had received what is due them.

He added that per the agreement, their children were to be on a scholarship scheme to enable them achieve higher academic excellence “but nothing has been head from MPS.”

The secretary to the Tema Canoe Owners again stated that, the continuous drilling, dredging, and blasting of some explosives within the coastal lines had forced the fishes to move far from the shores.

He said some fishes got killed in the process, a situation he claimed was affecting their catch.

Meanwhile, officials of MPS have refused to comment on the issue.

The 1.5 billion dollar project through the joint partnership with the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA) and some agencies was expected to be completed in June 2019.