Editorial: Coastal Erosion Along Southern Volta Must Be Addressed

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has declared a ‘state of emergency’ following extensive devastation caused by coastal erosion along southern Volta, according to myjoyonline.com.

Per the story, the sea, driven by high tides, continues to wash away communities along the coast in the Ketu South Municipality within the last 7 days.

Mr. Gunu described this occurrence as a threat to national security and called for emergency interventions to curb the destruction and ensure the safety and well-being of residents of the affected communities.

Mr. Gunu made the declaration at a brief meeting between members of the Volta Regional Security Council and officials of the National Disaster Manager Organisation (NADMO) at Tokor, in the Ketu South Municipality.

“I have actually made it a national security issue, houses have been washed away, cemeteries are gone and the psychological trauma that the people are going through, including children and women, calls for urgent action”, he stressed.

He said that an assessment revealed that communities in the affected areas are far below sea level and could be easily submerged during recurring high tides hence some urgency must be attached to an immediate intervention.“If nothing is done urgently and we allow the sea to cross the road continuously, the degree of devastation that we will see cannot be contained”, he warned.

The devastating tidal wave disaster has left the residents of Agavedzi in trauma, with at least 51 houses destroyed and over 300 individuals displaced, according to the Assembly Member for the Agavedzi Electoral Area, Ebenezer Assah.

 

We can all testify that coastal erosion has long been a challenge for Ghana’s coastal communities, but the situation in the Volta Region has reached an alarming crisis point.

This crisis is not an isolated incident. Coastal erosion has been an ongoing issue for decades. The coastline in the Ketu South Municipality has been receding at an alarming rate, making it increasingly uninhabitable. If urgent action is not taken, the devastation will only escalate, threatening thousands of residents.

 

The underlying causes of coastal erosion in the Volta Region are both environmental and human-induced. Climate change is a significant factor, with rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events intensifying the impact of tidal waves. Global warming has led to melting glaciers and thermal expansion of ocean water, raising sea levels and making coastal areas more vulnerable to flooding and erosion.

 

The impact of coastal erosion extends far beyond the immediate destruction of homes and infrastructure. The displacement of hundreds of people means families are left without shelter, security and basic necessities. Schools, clinics and markets are also affected, disrupting education, healthcare and local economies.

 

Past governments recognised the severity of coastal erosion and initiated projects to address the crisis. The Keta Sea Defence Project, for example, was launched to protect vulnerable communities from tidal waves. While the first phase of this project provided some relief, delays in subsequent phases have left many communities still exposed to the devastating impact of the sea.

 

In May 2024, the government announced that phase II of the Agavedzi-Blekusu Sea Defence Project would soon commence. This project aims to build additional protective structures along the coast to prevent further land loss and destruction.

 

However, bureaucratic delays and funding constraints have slowed progress. Given the recent devastation, there is an urgent need to expedite the completion of this project and ensure that affected communities receive the protection they desperately need.

 

Addressing coastal erosion in the Volta Region requires a multi-faceted approach that combines immediate relief efforts with long-term sustainable solutions. First and foremost, the government must accelerate the completion of all ongoing sea defense projects. This includes not only constructing physical barriers such as seawalls but also incorporating environmentally friendly solutions like mangrove restoration.

 

The government must expedite ongoing sea defense projects, implement sustainable coastal management strategies and secure funding for long-term resilience-building efforts. Civil Society Organisations, international partners and local communities all have a role to play in finding lasting solutions to this crisis.

 

Without decisive intervention, the relentless advance of the sea will continue to threaten lives, livelihoods and the cultural heritage of Ghana’s coastal regions.

 

 

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