The Volta Region is facing an unprecedented crisis as coastal erosion continues to wreak havoc on communities along the southern coast.
The sea, driven by high tides, has washed away homes, cemeteries, and livelihoods, leaving residents in a state of desperation.
Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has declared a ‘state of emergency’ in response to the devastation, warning that the situation poses a significant threat to national security.
The affected areas, particularly the Ketu South Municipality, have been battling coastal erosion for years.
In 2021, high tidal waves caused widespread damage, displacing over 3,000 people and destroying properties, farms, and livestock.
The government responded with relief efforts, but the problem persists, and the situation has escalated into a full-blown crisis.
Residents are appealing for the completion of the sea defence project, which they believe is the only solution to their woes.
“We don’t need rice or maize. All we need is for them to complete the sea defence so we can be safe and take care of ourselves,” said Makafui Atayi, a resident of the affected area.
The government has provided some relief items, but residents argue that this is insufficient and that the root cause of the problem needs to be addressed.
The Volta Regional Minister has stressed that the government attaches prominence to curbing the destruction caused by the sea.
However, residents are skeptical, pointing to the stalled Ghana Gas shelter project, which was intended to provide housing for those displaced by the erosion.
With the situation becoming increasingly dire, residents are calling for urgent action to complete the sea defence project and protect their communities.
-BY Issah Olegor
