By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Anloga (V/R), Nov. 8, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has announced an allocation of GHS685 million to commence coastal protection works under the West African Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA) to address the growing threat of coastal erosion in vulnerable communities.
He said the funding would support engineering interventions, including breakwaters, groynes and revetments, as well as dune stabilisation through vegetation, beach replenishment and wetland restoration.
Other components of the project would include lagoon and watershed rehabilitation, alongside livelihood support for communities within the targeted areas, particularly women, the youth and persons with disabilities.
President Mahama made the announcement during his address at the 64th edition of the Hogbetsotso Festival of the chiefs and people of Anlo at Anloga in the Volta Region on Saturday.
He said the allocation was intended to respond to the devastating effects of coastal erosion on households, livelihoods, schools, community facilities and places of cultural importance.
“No family should have to endure repeated displacement as a result of coastal erosion,” he said, adding that the Government recognised the human and economic consequences of the phenomenon.
The President also announced an additional allocation of GHS250 million in the 2027 Budget to ensure the continuation and completion of Phase Two of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project.
He said the project, which he commissioned shortly after assuming office, was progressing satisfactorily and remained a priority because of the threat facing residents in the area.
President Mahama urged traditional authorities and residents to support efforts to protect mangroves and wetlands, warning that the destruction of coastal vegetation weakened shorelines and increased vulnerability to erosion.
On the proposed Keta Port Project, the President said 47 companies had submitted expressions of interest to partner the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) as strategic partners for its development.
He said due diligence had been completed, resulting in the shortlisting of seven companies, which had proceeded to the next stage of the process involving the completion of designs and arrangements for financing.
He assured the people of Anlo that the Government remained committed to advancing the project on a credible foundation.
He also announced that the administration block of the port, which was started under the previous administration, would be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
President Mahama said the Government had taken note of the request for the establishment of a School of Pharmacy of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Keta.
He disclosed that land had been secured for the project and that a committee established to facilitate its implementation had inspected the site.
The next stages, he said, would involve the preparation of designs for the campus, followed by procurement processes.
He also acknowledged other educational infrastructure requests made by the Awormefia, including a new dormitory block for Anlo Awoamefia Senior High School at Anyako, proposed E-Blocks for a new senior high school in the Shime area and Anlo Senior High School (ANSECO), as well as infrastructure improvements at Atiavi Senior High Technical School.
He said he will draw the attention of the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to the concerns to facilitate the necessary interventions.
The President further acknowledged the request for the conversion of Ohawu Agricultural College into a fully-fledged University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, assuring the traditional authorities that the proposals would be kept under consideration for appropriate action.
Meanwhile earlier, Torgbui Sri III, Awormefia of the Anlo State, urged the Government to ensure that the benefits of the national economic recovery translated into tangible development for the people of Anlo.
He said although the traditional area recognised the Government’s national achievements and ongoing development interventions, several longstanding promises and infrastructure needs remained outstanding.
The Awormefia said coastal erosion continued to threaten lives, livelihoods and the cultural heritage of communities along the coastline, recalling the President’s visit to Fuveme and surrounding communities about five months earlier to assess the devastation caused by tidal waves.
He appealed for the urgent implementation of the WACA project, particularly the coastal protection and beach reclamation components, and called for the uninterrupted continuation and completion of the Blekusu Phase Two Sea Defence Project.
He also urged the Government to provide clear timelines for the Keta Port Project, stressing that the people wanted to see actual construction rather than continued discussions and plans.
Among other requests, he called for the relocation of the Eastern Naval Base to Keta, the establishment of a University of the Blue Economy and Coastal Ecosystems in Anlo, and the revival of proposals for a Keta Lagoon Basin Development Authority to harness the lagoon’s resources for job creation and economic development.
On education, he appealed for the accelerated establishment of the UHAS School of Pharmacy in Keta, construction of a new dormitory block for Anlo Awoamefia Senior High School at Anyako, and E-Blocks for the proposed Shime Senior High School and ANSECO.
He also drew attention to infrastructure challenges at Atiavi Senior High Technical School and called for the full implementation and expansion of the Anlo Rice and Aquaculture Project.
The Awormefia further appealed for the conversion of Ohawu Agricultural College into a fully-fledged University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences to strengthen agricultural education and support the area’s farming and fishing potential.
He also called for the fulfilment of the proposed upgrading of the Ho Teaching Hospital and accelerated construction and rehabilitation of critical roads, including Afiadenyigba Junction–Havedzi, Abor–Atiavi and Alakple roads.
Torgbui Sri said the people of Anlo had remained peaceful, patient and supportive of successive governments but expected a clear and practical roadmap to address their development concerns before the end of the year.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade