Ghana Hydrological Authority calls for private partnership to protect coastline

The Ghana Hydrological Authority needs $390 million to protect 290 km of Ghana’s coastal stretch that is housing critical national assets.

The Authority is calling for public-private partnership funding to invest in coastal and climate adaptation management to safeguard life and property.

Ghana’s coastline is approximately 550 km long, the entire stretch varies in vulnerability with 180 km fairly stable with low vulnerability, 370 km at risk and requiring coastal protection, 80 km stretch is protected from completed and ongoing projects and 290 km stretch holds important and strategic national assets which need immediate protection.

Due to the low-lying nature of the country’s coastline, it has low elevation making it susceptible to flooding and erosion.

Persistent wave activity accelerates coastal erosion, aiding degradation as increasing sea levels due to climate change exacerbate coastal inundation and erosion.

Human activities, such as urban development and construction, have contributed to coastal vulnerability.

Moreover, extraction of sand from beaches and riverbeds depletes natural coastal defenses.

Clearing coastal vegetation reduces natural protection against erosion and storm surges, while the construction of dams and harbors disrupts natural sediment flow, leading to increased coastal erosion.

Authorities at Ghana Hydrological Authority said they are undertaking various projects to protect the coastal line. Some of the ongoing projects include Dansoman Sea Defense, Dixcove Sea Defense, Cape Coast Coastal Protection Project, Komenda Coastal Protection, Anomabu Coastal Works, new Takoradi Coastal Protection Works Phase III, Aboadze Coastal Protection phase II and Ningo Prampram Coastal Protection Project.

Out of the 290 km of coastal stretch requiring protection, specific areas holding critical national assets necessitate immediate safeguarding measures to prevent the country from losing properties that contribute to its development.

The critical coastline includes the Anlo Beach shoreline which has national power installations such as Takoradi Thermal Power Station (530MW) and Twin Energy Station (200MW) as well as coastal communities, and the livelihoods of residents.

The shorelines have some key institutions and road infrastructure, Cape Coast, Accra-Cape Coast-Takoradi Highway, University of Cape Coast Campus, St. Augustine Senior High School, Cape Coast Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Ezinlibo Coastal stretch for coastal towns, Operation Base for the Military, and infrastructures along the shoreline.

Additionally, the Ningo-Prampram shoreline requires protection to forestall tourism activities, infrastructures (road, land and properties, beach resorts and Blekusu coastline require protection for the entire coastal stretch, and the Denu-Aflao highway.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Hydrological Authority Dr. John Kissi in a press briefing called for public-private partnership to protect the coastlines as well as control human activity.

He said most of the country’s coastline is surrounded by properties of private individuals, hence the need for these individuals to collaborate with the government to help protect life and properties.

He added that considering the huge challenges along the country’s coastline, the authority will derive strategic initiative for enhancing coastal resilience and management.

Source:onuaonline.com