By President John Dramani Mahama has pledged the government’s determination. The goal is to find a permanent solution to the ruthless and persistent tidal waves invasion. This issue affects the coastal communities of Agavedzi, Sallakope, and Amutinu in the Ketu South Municipality in the Volta Region.
Price: GH¢8.00 Ravages caused by the recent tidal wave at Agavedzi “We already have a comprehensive report on the situation. The feasibility studies and the design for the Blekusu Phase 2 (sea defence) project are ready. We just have to allocate the funding for the project,” he said.
The President Mahama spoke at a mini-durbar of the chiefs and the people of the affected communities at Agavedzi. He visited last Thursday after touring the areas destroyed by tidal waves. He wanted to see firsthand the damage caused by the sea.
The President visited the area just moments after presiding over affairs at Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebration. This event took place at the Jubilee House in Accra.
He told the people about his intention. He would direct the Minister of Finance to include the sea defence project’s required expenditure in the Budget Statement. This is scheduled to be presented to Parliament on Tuesday.
Damage so far
So far, 51 households have been affected by the tidal waves this year. These waves have displaced 300 people. They have also washed away 800 metres of coastal land.
“The government has not forgotten you. We will do everything possible to ameliorate the plight you are going through,” the President affirmed.
He blamed the problem’s severity on the previous government’s failure. The government did not continue the Blekusu Phase 2 project, which covered Agavedzi, Sallakope, Amutinu, and Adina. He said the project would be revived soon.
President Mahama was accompanied by a large entourage. It included ministers of state and Members of Parliament. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Professor Nana Ama Brown Klutse, was present. The Regional Minister, James Gunu, and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were also part of the group.
Resettlement site
President Mahama expressed misgivings over the quality of the Ghana Gas resettlement project in the area. He said it was shoddy. The structures were not fit for purpose in a flood prone zone.
He said when Blekusu Phase 2 eventually took off, efforts would be made. They plan to resettle the displaced people at a suitable ground.
The durbar was attended by the chiefs, queens and people from the entire Some Traditional Area, beyond the affected communities.
The Paramount Chief of Some, Togbiga Makorsor Adama III, said the President’s visit signified hope for the people. It showed his personal concern for the wellbeing of the people.
“You started the sea defence project in 2015. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) did not continue it. If they had continued, this would not have happened,” he added.
For now, Togbiga Adama said, the people’s expectations were on the Mahama-led government for respite.
The regional minister said the previous government failed to continue the sea defence project. This failure brought agony to the people for eight years.
The assembly member for Sallakope, Sylvester Kuma, stated that without the sea defence, the people’s livelihood would always remain at risk.
Later, President Mahama presented a large consignment of assorted relief items to the people.
The consignment included 250 bags of rice. These were donated by the Minister of Roads and Highways and MP for Adaklu, Kwame Governs Agbodza. GH¢100,000 was donated by Engineers and Planners.
The same amount was donated by the Volta Region National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament. There were also 500 bags of rice and 200 cartons of cooking oil. Additionally, there were 100 cartons of soap and 30 cartons of mosquito coils. Bales of used clothes came from NADMO.
These funds are intended to support the affected families as they rebuild their lives.
Displaced people
Many of the displaced people spoke to the Daily Graphic. They said the solution to the tidal waves problem was the sea defence wall.
“What we need now is the sea defence wall. It is meant to protect lives and property. It will bring back our livelihoods,” a resident, Yawo Moayekor, said.
The 30-year-old mother of three is a trader. She said the tidal waves had deprived her of business. The relief items would only help for a few days.
Another woman, Josephine Domevenu, said she has no roof over her head. She also has nowhere to sleep. As a result, she could not work to feed her children.
She said the President’s visit had renewed her hopes for a permanent solution to the problem.
