Ketu South Assembly to relocate residents after imminent tidal wave warning by Meteo Agency

The Ketu South Municipal Assembly in the Volta Region says efforts are underway to relocate residents along the coastal communities following prediction of the occurrence of another tidal wave.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency projected a wave along coastal communities, whilst warning residents in these areas to take the necessary precautions.

Earlier this month, about twenty households were displaced after tidal waves hit their homes at Agavedzi and some adjoining communities.

The Municipal Chief Executive of the area, Maxwell Lugudor, says the assembly is collaborating with other agencies to put up temporary structures for the residents.

“We’ll not sit down for the tidal waves to occur before we quickly call the Assembly Members and NADMO officers. So we have met the opinion leaders about what the Meteo Agency has, so we have appealed to them that those who will want to go and stay with relatives on higher grounds can easily do that and those without places to go to, some temporary places will be set up for them.”

Recently, about 20 households were left stranded at Agavedzi and some adjoining communities in the Ketu South Municipality after tidal waves hit their homes over the weekend.

This comes several months after hundreds were left stranded in some coastal communities in the Volta Region in 2021.

The lives of residents of Amutinu Salakope, Agavedzi, Blekusu and Adina are under threat following tidal waves' destruction since March 2021.

Several efforts by residents to get the government to complete the sea defence project have proven futile, despite several demonstrations.

The affected residents, however, are still calling on the government to fulfil its promise to the people and complete the sea defence project as their lives are still in danger. CODA begs residents to relocate

The Coastal Development Authority (CODA), has urged residents in areas threatened by coastal erosion to be open to government interventions.

Chief Executive Officer of CODA, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, said “relocation is key” to the Coastal Rejuvenation Initiative.

“If you are going to allow the government to take the necessary steps, including relocating people, including pursuing the green agenda… and ensuring that sea defences are also well-built, I think we will get somewhere.”

He noted, for example, that in the Ketu South District, there were plans for new settlements for people in at-risk communities to relocate to.

There has, however, been some pushback from residents in affected communities who are not fully convinced by the relocation option.

“There is a medium-term plan being rolled out. The assembly has secured some funding to start the construction of some 100 houses. And that is going to be a two-bedroom facility for the small island they are going to be on. That is an option.”

“But if you are saying there is an ancestral connection to the sea or to wherever you are staying and that is where you prefer to stay, that is not on,” Mr. Shaib added.

By Citi Newsroom