President John Mahama is later today expected to visit communities devastated by the tidal wave along the coast in the Ketu South district. A statement issued by the regional secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the President will use the Independence Day to interact with the victims, assess the extent of damage and proffer a lasting solution.
The tidal waves problem in coastal Volta Region is not new but became worse over the years. Due to the escalation of the problem, the government (under President Mahama’s first term), initiated a first phase of sea defense project in the area 10 years ago in 2015. The first phase focused on protecting the coastal stretch from Havedzie through Horvi, Blekusu, and Agavedzi. These communities today are well protected and are no longer experiencing the devastating impact of tidal waves.
However, the second phase, aimed at protecting Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutinu, Adina, and other nearby communities, has faced repeated delays for over 6 years under the previous government leaving residents at the mercy of the ruthless perennial waves.
The resumption of the sea defense project is crucial to ending the constant devastation caused by tidal waves in Agavedzi and neighboring communities in the Ketu South district of the Volta Region. Traditional authorities and victims want President Mahama to engage the contractor that worked on the first phase of the project to mobilize speedily to ensure quick resumption of the second phase without any further delay.
Satellite images obtained by The High Street Journal reveal that communities protected by the first phase of sea defense project, have gained some respite from tidal waves, highlighting the potential benefits of resuming the project.
The annual destruction caused by tidal waves has become a painful reality for the affected communities. Despite several visits and promises by former Ministers of Works and Housing, and other government officials no substantial progress has been made. The most recent tidal wave devastation has resulted in the collapse of homes, the destruction of businesses and graveyards, and the threat of washing away the only road connecting Anloga, Keta, and other communities to Denu and Afloa, and other social amenities such as water, electricity, schools and clinics.
Local leaders and stakeholders, including Torgbui Adamah III, the Paramount Chief of the Some Traditional Area, have made passionate appeals to the government to urgently address the situation. Torgbui Adamah III urged the President to act swiftly, noting, “The government should see the current tidal waves onslaught on our communities as an emergency situation and call on the contractor who started the Sea Defense Project from Blekusu to parts of Agavedzi to return or resume work immediately to save the rest of the communities.”
While the world bank has committed funds for Ghana under the WACA program (West Africa Coastal project) It is important to understand that the world bank processes could only make medium to long term impact, while the need to save lives and livelihoods is immediate, and cannot be deferred. It is possible that in 24 months there will be no community to protect any longer and even the main Aflao road would be completely damaged. Government must act swiftly and start the second phase immediately from its own resources and get reimbursed by the World Bank later.
Volta Regional Minister James Gunu has visited the affected communities, declared a state of emergency and provided relief items. However, with the road now in danger of being washed away, and the additional costs the state would face in reconstructing it, there is an urgent need for immediate intervention to prevent further disruption to businesses and livelihoods.
Behind the scenes, local indigenes and influential figures have been working tirelessly to draw the government’s attention to the crisis and to ensure that the affected communities are rescued.
The tidal waves have been a persistent threat to many communities along the Keta coast. Historical records, such as a 1926 photograph of Keta, show how the sea has gradually swallowed large portions of the once-thriving port city. There are growing fears that if decisive action is not taken now, the remaining communities could suffer the same fate.
