Communities along the coast in the Ketu South municipality in southern Volta have been washed away by high tides of the sea within the last seven days.
The coastal erosion has caused massive devastation, making the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, declare a ‘state of emergency’.
According to the Minister, the development is a threat to national security and has called for emergency intervention to avert the situation for the safety and well-being of affected residents.
At a brief meeting between members of the Volta Regional Security Council and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) at Tokor in the Ketu South Municipality, the Minister, Mr. Gunu, highlighted the enormity of the devastation calling urgent action to be taken.
“I have actually made it a national security issue, houses have been washed away, cemeteries are gone and a lot of things and the psychological trauma that the people are going through including children and women calls for urgent action”, he indicated.
He said that an assessment revealed that communities in the affected areas are far below sea level and could be easily submerged during recurring high tides, hence some urgency must be attached to an immediate intervention.
“If nothing is done urgently and we allow the sea to cross the road continuously, the degree of devastation that we will see cannot be contained,” he forewarned.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gunu presented some relief items to over 510 victims of the disaster, stressing on the government’s commitment to ensuring that the situation is addressed to prevent further damages.
Some residents who received the relief items opted for the completion of the sea defence project rather than the paltry food they’ve been receiving from government.
“We don’t need rice or maize. All we need is for them to complete the sea defence so we can be safe and take care of ourselves,” Makafui Atayi, a resident victim, indicated.
Meanwhile, a Ghana Gas shelter project where about 15 units of 2-bedroom apartments are to be constructed has stalled.
Residents are praying for its early completion to help in the proposed evacuation exercise.
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