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The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye has appealed to residents of coastal areas to avoid activities that cause tidal waves as government makes all the necessary efforts to avert the perennial occurrences.
According to the Minister, the investments
by government cannot yield the needed protection if people continue
to engage in such practices.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, November 8, 2021 in connection with last weekend tidal waves in the Ketu South municipality which has rendered many homeless, Hon Asenso-Boakye said there have been reported cases of sand winning, uprooting of mangrove along the coastal stretch, a practice he believes exposes residents to vagaries of the
rising sea levels.[ads4]
“I must reiterate that Government acknowledges the urgent need to permanently address the devastating effects of tidal waves in the affected towns of Agavedzi, Salakope, and Amutsinu communities in the Ketu South Constituency.These communities are on the same coastal stretch as Blekusu, also in
the Ketu South Constituency.
This coastal stretch is characterized by narrow beaches and the effects of tidal waves along the coastal by stretch can be very devastating, and consequently result in beach erosion, loss of land, property and sometimes extensive flooding in the event of wave overtopping. The erosion of the beaches also impacts negatively on fishing, which is the main source of livelihood of the communities along this coastal stretch.
” As part of measures to curb these devastating incidences in these towns, in July 2015, the Ministry of Works and Housing engaged Messrs Amandi Holding Limited to design and construct coastal protection works along this stretch, starting from Blekusu and
working towards Agavedzi, Salakope, and Amutsinu under the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project. The project, which protects 4300 metres (i.e., 4.3 kilometres) of the coastal stretch, had the first phase completed in July 2019, and has since functioned effectively, protecting lives, livelihoods and properties while reviving fishing
activities.
“Th Ministry of Works and Housing
(Government) notes the sense of urgency for undertaking the second phase of the project to protect Adina, Agavedzi, Salakope, and
Amutsinu communities and others to the east of Blekusu. To this end, the Ministry is commenced urgent steps to implement the second phase of the project. The Ministry has finalized the Evaluation of the relevant proposal to start the works under the second phase of the
project.[ads2]
“It is important to note that in April 2021, a technical team from the Hydrological Services Department of the Ministry, upon my directive, travelled to the affected communities to engage the Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu South Municipal Assembly and some community leaders on the matter of the implementation of the second phase of the project. I have also had the opportunity to visit these communities, together with the technical team from the Ministry and the Hydrological Services Department, in June this year, to have a first-hand understanding of the situation.”
He added that, “the completion of the works envisaged under the second phase of the project will cover a minimum coastal stretch of 8,000 metres (8 kilometres) and this will surely ensure the total protection of the people of Agavedzi, Salakope, and Amutsinu communities and other affected communities within the Constituency that continue to bear the brunt of this occasional disasters.[ads1]
The scope of works under the second phrase of Blekusu Coastal Protection Project (Phase 2) entails the construction of 37 armour rock groynes, with land reclamation, to protect eight (8) kilometres of coastal stretch.
“The Ministry is currently engaging the
Ministry of Finance to raise the needed funding for the implementation of the second phase. It is important to note that value addition is critical in ensuring that a platform for recouping the capital investment is provided. Thus, in addition to protecting lives and properties, the works under the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project (Phase 2) will protect the beaches and its environs against encroachment by the sea, arrest the current environmental deterioration, mitigate the social and economic consequences of beach erosion, and strengthen the economic and production base of the area through enhanced fishing activities.”
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