Concerns have been raised about the condition and future of the Mumford Fishing Harbour Landing Site, with calls for urgent intervention to safeguard what is widely regarded as a critical economic asset for the Gomoa West District and the Central Region.
Captain Smart, an aspiring Member of Parliament on the ticket of the governing National Democratic Congress(NDC) has expressed worry over the state of the facility, describing the harbour as an important source of livelihood for fisherfolk, fish processors, traders, youth and families whose economic activities depend on the fishing industry.
According to him, the fishing harbour was conceived as a transformative project intended to boost fish landing activities, create employment opportunities, support fish processing, attract investment and position Mumford as a major fisheries and blue economy hub.
He noted that despite the expectations surrounding the project, recent observations suggest that the facility is facing significant operational and infrastructural challenges.
Among the concerns highlighted were the apparent deterioration of sections of the breakwater, increasing siltation within the harbour basin and the decline of some ancillary facilities that support operations at the site.
The concerns, he said, threaten the ability of the harbour to achieve its intended economic objectives and deliver the anticipated benefits to the local community.
He further expressed disappointment over what he described as the lack of clear public communication regarding plans to address the challenges confronting the facility.
According to him, residents and stakeholders deserve a comprehensive roadmap outlining measures being taken to rehabilitate and restore the harbour to full functionality.
He stressed that the issue should not be viewed through a partisan political lens but rather as a matter of economic development and community welfare.
“The future of the harbour affects livelihoods, women’s economic activities, youth employment and the broader development of the local fishing industry,” he noted.
The aspiring Member of Parliament for Gomoa West pledged to advocate strongly for the rehabilitation and full operationalisation of the harbour, promising to engage relevant stakeholders and state institutions to find lasting solutions.
He said efforts would focus on collaboration with traditional authorities, fisherfolk, development partners, industry experts, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Ministry of Transport, the District Assembly and other relevant agencies.
As part of the proposed interventions, he called for a comprehensive technical assessment of the harbour to determine the extent of the challenges and guide future rehabilitation efforts.
He also advocated urgent desilting works, rehabilitation of the breakwater, completion of sanitation facilities, enhancement of safety systems, improved market access for fish traders and the development of a long-term management framework for the facility.
