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Ted News Ghana Blog of Sunday, 2 March 2025
Source: TEDDY VAVA GAWUGA
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has declared a state of emergency following severe coastal erosion that has displaced residents and destroyed properties in southern Volta.
Over the past week, powerful tidal waves have ravaged communities in the Ketu South Municipality, sweeping away homes and cemeteries, prompting Mr. Gunu to classify the crisis as a national security concern.
“I have actually made it a national security issue. Houses have been washed away, cemeteries are gone, and the psychological trauma on residents, especially women and children, calls for urgent action,” he stated during a meeting with the Volta Regional Security Council and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in Tokor.
Call for Immediate Intervention
An assessment revealed that many affected communities are below sea level, making them extremely vulnerable to further devastation. Mr. Gunu warned that if urgent measures are not taken, the consequences could be catastrophic.
“If we allow the sea to continuously breach the road, the scale of destruction will be beyond control,” he cautioned.
As an immediate response, emergency supplies were distributed to over 510 affected individuals. However, residents insist that long-term solutions—such as the completion of the stalled sea defence project—are necessary for their safety.
Residents Demand Completion of Sea Defence Project
“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,” lamented Makafui Atayi, a resident.
The Ghana Gas shelter project, intended to provide 15 two-bedroom apartments for relocation, has also stalled, leaving displaced families in limbo. Community members are urging the government to expedite its completion to facilitate a structured evacuation process.
With growing concerns over the frequency and severity of tidal waves, stakeholders are calling for sustained interventions to mitigate the long-term impact of coastal erosion in the region.
