Anloga DCE inspects Woe Mini Inland Harbour after fishermen raise concerns

Ms Sandra Seyram Kpedor, Anloga District Chief Executive (DCE), has paid a working visit to the Woe Mini Inland Harbour to assess its current condition following complaints from fishermen about challenges using the facility.

Ms Kpedor said the visit was part of her efforts to stay informed on issues affecting the area and followed a meeting with a group of fishermen who raised concerns about the harbour.

“The issues require urgent attention, and I will engage the appropriate authorities to address them for the benefit of the fisherfolk and the local economy,” Ms Kpedor said.

She did not list the specific challenges cited by the fishermen. The Woe Mini Inland Harbour, located in the Anloga District, serves artisanal fishers and canoe operators along the Keta Lagoon and near-shore coastal communities.  

The facility was constructed to improve fish landing, storage, and safety for fishing communities in Woe and surrounding areas. It forms part of coastal infrastructure intended to support the fisheries value chain in the Volta Region, where fishing remains a major source of livelihood.

Concerns commonly raised by fishers at small harbours and landing sites in Ghana include siltation, broken access roads, lack of cold storage, inadequate berthing space, and poor sanitation. District Assemblies typically liaise with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Coastal Development Authority, and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority on such issues.

Ms Kpedor said she will engage the appropriate authorities to seek interventions. She did not indicate a timeline for the engagements or whether an engineering assessment of the harbour has been commissioned.

The Anloga District has several fishing communities, including Woe, Tegbi, Anyanui, and Dzita, where artisanal fishing contributes significantly to household income and local markets. Disruptions at landing sites affect fish supply, pricing, and post-harvest losses.

The DCE’s visit signals renewed local government attention to fisheries infrastructure ahead of the main fishing season. Further updates are expected after her engagements with the relevant agencies.

By: Philip Kendriz Elikem