The Ghanaian tourism industry received a significant boost on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as the Elmina Fishing Harbour welcomed its first cruise vessel since its commissioning in 2023.
The vessel, named SH Vega, made a historical call at the port, signaling a new era for the fishing harbor.
Traditionally, Tema and Takoradi have been the main ports of call for cruise passengers in Ghana. However, with the arrival of SH Vega at the Elmina Fishing Harbour, the port has now taken on a dual role as both a fishing port and a cruise destination.
The SH Vega, with a capacity of over 280 passengers, arrived at the Elmina waters with 106 passengers and 9 crew members on board. The tourists had the opportunity to explore popular attractions such as the Elmina castle, the Batik making Centre at Global Mamas, the Kakum National Park, and the Cape Coast castle. They also enjoyed traditional drumming and dance lessons during their visit.
The Director of Port, Mr. Peter Amoo-Bediako, commended the government and the Ministry of Transport for their vision in constructing the Elmina Fishing Harbour. He highlighted the endless opportunities that the arrival of SH Vega brings to the port and the Elmina township as a whole.
The nationalities of the passengers onboard the cruise vessel were diverse, including Australians, Austrians, Chinese, French, Germans, Greeks, Russians, and Nigerians, among others. The vessel had previously visited ports in Angola, Benin, Congo, Gabon, Togo, and São Tomé.
The successful call of SH Vega at the Elmina Fishing Harbour was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various regulatory institutions, including the Ghana Maritime Authority, GRA-Customs, National Intelligence Bureau, National Security, NACOB, Immigration, Port Health, Marine Police, and Ghana Police Service.
