By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Sakumono, March 6, GNA – Dr. Worlanyo Mensah, an Economist, has called on the government to declare a state of emergency in the tidal wave-affected areas in the Volta Region.
Dr. Worlanyo said the severe tidal waves that had hit communities in the Volta Region have left widespread destruction, including submerging homes, farms, businesses, and a lot more, affecting thousands of residents and needing immediate attention.
He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the main sources of livelihood for many residents which were fishing and farming had been destroyed and if care was not taken, might lead to high unemployment rates, food shortages and further cause high food inflation in the affected communities.
He mentioned that the flooding was due to the incomplete sea defence project, which was meant to protect the coastline, and called on the government to prioritise the completion of the project to prevent future occurrences.
The economist explained that beyond economic losses, sanitation had also become a major concern as several toilet facilities had been submerged, raising the risk of waterborne diseases, noting that because some health centres had also been affected, it would be difficult for residents to access medical care.
He said that many families had been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in schools and churches, while some lost all their belongings and were in desperate need of food, clean water, and shelter.
He appealed to the government to declare a state of emergency to speed up relief efforts and attract international support.
Dr. Worlanyo said the destruction caused by the tidal waves had gone beyond the capacity of local authorities to handle, stressing that without immediate intervention, the impact of the disaster could worsen the economic situation in the region.
He emphasised the importance of protecting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) roads, which passed through some of the affected areas, from any form of damage or disruption, as its deterioration could have significant consequences on economic activities.
He further said that the road served as a critical trade route for businesses within the region, facilitating the smooth movement of goods, services, and people; therefore, any adverse impact on its condition could lead to transportation delays, increased costs for businesses, and potential setbacks for regional trade and economic growth.
GNA
LS/CA