Authorities at the Elmina Harbour in the Komenda–Edina–Eguafo–Abirem (KEEA) Municipality have expressed concern over the continuous dumping of refuse on the ground by fisherfolks, despite the provision of several waste bins across the harbour.
The Harbour authorities say the situation remains worrying, as indiscriminate disposal of waste continues to undermine efforts to maintain cleanliness and protect the environment at the busy fishing port.
Speaking to Coastal Television, the Harbour Engineer and second-in-command, Engineer Isaac Ateside, expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of some fisherfolks towards sanitation.
He noted that waste bins have been placed at strategic locations within the harbour to encourage proper waste disposal, yet many fisherfolks still choose to dump refuse on the ground.
According to him, the practice poses serious health and environmental risks and does not reflect a sense of responsibility among users of the harbour.
Interacting with some fishermen at the harbour, mixed reactions emerged regarding the persistent littering. While some fishermen admitted that laziness contributes to the problem, they explained that during fishing activities, especially when working with nets, they find it inconvenient to move away to dispose of waste.
“When we are working with the nets, we don’t move from one place to another. After finishing, we just leave the refuse on the ground,” one fisherman said.
Others also justified the practice by claiming that the harbour has designated cleaners who are paid to keep the area clean.
“The authorities have people who clean the place and they are paid to do that work, so we leave the refuse for them,” another fisherman stated.
The Elmina Harbour authorities have therefore called on fisherfolks to cooperate by making use of the waste bins provided, emphasizing that maintaining cleanliness at the harbour is a shared responsibility.
By Frank Asorba Kofi Essuman
