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President John Mahama has reassured coastal residents that construction works under the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) project will soon begin, with efforts underway to accelerate work in addressing the ongoing coastal erosion challenges in parts of the Volta Region.
During a visit to affected coastal communities, the President acknowledged that the project faced delays in 2024 due to the election campaign but confirmed that work has since resumed. The WACA project, supported by the World Bank with a funding commitment of $150 million, aims to protect vulnerable sections of Ghana’s coastline, including areas like Ketu South and parts of Angloga.
The planned interventions under the project include the construction of sea defence structures, installation of groins to reduce wave impact, and ecosystem-based measures such as the restoration of mangroves and coconut trees to help stabilize the shoreline. Although the project had initially stalled in 2024, it resumed shortly after President Mahama took office, particularly in response to the destructive tidal waves affecting the coastal communities.
In his remarks, the President visited Fuveme, a coastal community close to an estuary that has been severely impacted by erosion. He explained that while the long-term solution lies in the World Bank-funded project, immediate measures will be taken to mitigate the effects of the erosion. “We will contact the Volta River Authority (VRA) to see if they can conduct dredging in the main estuary to ease the pressure on this side,” President Mahama stated. He explained that when the estuary is silted, it causes water to flow into the sea at other locations, exacerbating the erosion. Dredging, he noted, would allow more water to flow out, providing some immediate relief.
President Mahama also visited Jita Anyanui, where he inspected the ongoing construction of a sea defence wall. He pointed out that although electric poles had once been dangerously close to the road due to the advancing sea, the contractors had successfully repositioned the electric cables. “Even years after we left office, the sea defence work remains in good shape,” he remarked, referring to the project that was initiated during his previous tenure in 2016.
In Agaveji, a community in the Ketu South constituency that had suffered severe tidal waves, the President observed the progress of phase two of the Blekusu sea defence project. He expressed satisfaction with the relief the project has brought to the area, noting that the people are now experiencing much-needed respite from the constant threat of flooding.
President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to improving the lives of the people, stating that his promise to protect and uplift coastal communities will not be abandoned. “We will continue working to make life comfortable for the people,” he said.
Story by Efua Nessa
Source: Loco tv