In the aftermath of the recent tidal waves that hit some coastal communities in the Southern part of the Volta region, leaving in their wake, devastating consequences on the residents, a concerned citizen has issued a passionate plea to President John Dramani Mahama, calling for urgent intervention to address the perennial catastrophe.
In an open letter addressed to the President, Joel Kofi Degue expressed alarm over the escalating crisis affecting Agavedzi, Salakope, and Amutsinu, where the advancing sea has displaced families, destroyed homes, and now threatens critical infrastructure, including the Keta-Denu Littoral Road.
“For many years, local communities and stakeholders have raised alarm over the escalating threat of coastal erosion, but to date, concrete and timely action remains wanting,” Degue wrote. “The situation has now reached a breaking point, and without immediate interventions, we are on the verge of witnessing a full-blown environmental and humanitarian disaster.”
Calls for Immediate Action:
Degue outlined five urgent measures that he believes the government must undertake to mitigate the crisis:
* Declare a State of Emergency – He urged the President to officially recognize the severity of the situation by declaring a state of emergency to fast-track government intervention.
* Evacuate Affected Communities – With residents at immediate risk, Degue called for the evacuation of those living in the most vulnerable areas and their resettlement in safe locations with proper humanitarian support.
* Implement Coastal Protection Measures – Short-term solutions, such as constructing protective barriers and using large boulders to reinforce the coastline, were recommended to safeguard the Keta-Denu Road.
* Develop Long-Term Solutions – He emphasized the need for sustainable coastal management strategies, including the construction of groynes, dredging, and beach nourishment to restore the coastline.
* Prevent the Inundation of the Keta Lagoon Complex – Degue warned that if erosion continues unchecked, it could lead to a breach of the Keta-Denu Road, allowing seawater to flood the Keta Lagoon and submerge surrounding districts, causing irreparable environmental and economic damage.
A Looming Disaster:
The letter paints a grim picture of the crisis, highlighting the psychological and physical toll on affected communities.
“These communities cannot continue to live in fear of being washed away by the tides. The psychological trauma, the physical pains and pangs are too much for them alone to bear,” Degue stated.
The situation has been a long-standing concern, with previous calls for government intervention yielding little progress. However, Degue warned that failure to act now could lead to irreversible consequences for the Volta Region and the country as a whole.
“The people of Southern Volta, especially those in the affected communities, are at their wits’ end. The situation is dire, and the window for effective intervention is rapidly closing,” he wrote. “The people of Volta, and indeed the whole nation, are watching. The time to act is now or never,” he concluded, echoing calls for for urgent action to stem the tide.