James Town redevelopment.

The fishing community in James Town is to benefit from a 4.5 billion Cedis (400,000) project to upgrade the harbour and boost economic activities in the area. The redevelopment includes the creation of a fish market, cold storage units and entertainment and restaurant facilities. There are also plans to develop the areas tourist potential by building hotels and restaurants along the coast. The Dutch embassy and Amsterdam city council have pledged 80,000 for the project.

Speaking at the project launch in early May, minister of fisheries Gladys Asmah said that the government is also in the process of signing an agreement with a company in the Netherlands to replace six wooden canoes currently used by local fishermen with fibreglass boats in an attempt to make fishing easier. If this proves suitable others will be built here in Ghana, she is quoted by state news agency GNA as saying. The minister also announced other initiatives aimed at boosting local productivity including a micro-credit scheme and a work-and-pay tool initiative. Ten outboard motors have already been given to the fishers in this community, she said. We are waiting for 50 per cent of the money to be given back then 20 more will be given. The harbour rehabilitation project is part of the 2015 Old Accra Strategy which aims to redevelop the central indigenous Ga Mashie district, of which James Town is a part.