The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has urged the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to engage with local stakeholders to establish a reserved employment quota for the Ga people in the James Town Harbour area.

During a courtesy call at his palace,in Accra on Tuesday, where a delegation from the GPHA, led by Deputy Project Engineer Ms. Mavis Allotey, discussed the upcoming operations of the James Town Fishing Harbour, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II emphasized the importance of training local people in specific services related to the harbour’s operations.
He encouraged the GPHA to utilize the four-year maintenance agreement with China as an opportunity to provide specialized training for the indigenous population, ensuring their involvement in the harbour’s success.

The king also appealed to the GPHA to take a leadership role in addressing the ongoing issue of single-use plastics, which has been detrimental to both the environment and the local fishing industry.

He pointed out that plastic pollution is eroding coral reefs and forcing fish to migrate further into the sea to spawn, leading to declining catches for local fishermen and contributing to protein deficiencies in the country.

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II urged the GPHA to advocate for a ban on the importation of single-use plastics and promote the use of biodegradable alternatives to protect the marine ecosystem.

As the traditional ruler of the area, the Ga Mantse offered his blessings and guidance to the GPHA, recognizing the importance of their collaboration in the development of the fishing harbour.

The authority shared that they had already consulted with stakeholders and traditional leaders, and after meeting with the Ga Mantse, they were ready to move forward with the full operation of the harbour later this month.