Biriwa to get University College

Biriwa, a fishing community near Cape Coast in the Mfantseman District, will soon get a University College with a Nursing Training College attached.

The project will be funded by Amicus Onlus International, an Italian non-governmental Organisation (NGO).

Nana Kwa Bonko V, chief of Biriwa and Ankobeahene of the Nkusukum Traditional Area, announced these at a durbar of chiefs and people of the town to mark their annual Okyir festival on Saturday.

Okyir, meaning detest, is observed by communities along the coast in the District to demonstrate their dislike for filth as the event is used to clean the communities.

Nana Bonko said land had been acquired for the project and the president of the NGO was in the country last month to finalise arrangements for work to start next year.

The chief said he was committed to initiating pragmatic projects towards improving the living conditions of the people.

Nana Bonko said collaborated with the NGO to establish the BAOBAB Medical Centre at Biriwa, which was being manned by Italian doctors.

He also said a citizen of Biriwa worked with a German to establish a vocational training centre in the town.

Nana Kwa Bonko appealed to government to complete the fish market in the town started by the previous administration, under the Agricultural Sector Improvement Project to boost the fishing industry in the area.

Nana Kwaku Abeka, chief fisherman of Biriwa, called for enforcement of the fishing law, which forbade trawlers from fishing within certain limits of the shore.
He said activities of operators of big trawlers had resulted in the depletion of some species of fish, which was seriously affecting the industry.

Nana Abeka said "Fishermen can no longer cast their nets and leave them in the sea over night as the trawlers will destroy them," adding that some fishermen could not pay for inputs and loans because of poor catches.

He appealed to fishermen to refrain from using heavy lighting systems for fishing, since it drives away fishes.

Mr. David Aidoo, special assistant to the Minister for Fisheries, said the Ministry had made available loans for fishermen, and 600 outboard motors for hire purchase through the Agriculture Development Bank.

He said an Indian was planning to establish a fibreglass factory for the manufacturing of fibreglass boats to replace wooden ones.