President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Finance Minister to allocate funds for the second phase of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project following severe tidal waves that have displaced hundreds in the Volta Region.
The President announced the directive during a visit to Agavedzi in the Ketu South District, where communities have suffered extensive damage, losing homes, fishing boats, and farmland.
“Funding for the sea defence project will be captured in the budget to be presented to Parliament in a few days,” Mr. Mahama assured affected residents.
Beyond the sea defence initiative, he also announced an immediate resettlement plan for those displaced. “There are two things we have to do; that is building a sea defence wall and also accommodation for those affected,” he added.
The announcement follows his Independence Day address, where he emphasized the growing threat of climate-related disasters such as coastal erosion and flooding, which continue to endanger livelihoods.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, who recently spent a night with victims in Ketu South, reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the crisis.
The first phase of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project, completed in 2014, covered the stretch from Keta to Hlorve. However, continued coastal erosion has necessitated further expansion. The second phase is expected to extend protection to the most vulnerable communities along the coastline.
With the Finance Minister scheduled to present the national budget to Parliament on March 11, it is expected that funding for the project will be officially captured. The government has assured that once approved, work will begin swiftly to mitigate future destruction.
