Posted on April 27, 2026
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ketu South, Hon. Nicholas Kwabla Worclachie, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his promise to complement ongoing sea defence works with dredging under the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Programme (WACA) to provide a lasting solution to the recurring tidal waves in the area.
Speaking in an interview with the media, Hon. Worclachie said the situation along the coast continued to worsen despite ongoing interventions, stressing that dredging remained the only sustainable approach to stabilising the shoreline and protecting livelihoods. He urged government to prioritise the intervention as part of efforts to safeguard vulnerable communities in affected areas along the coast.
The WACA project, estimated at 155 million dollars and supported by the World Bank, is designed to deliver large-scale coastal protection, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience interventions along vulnerable shorelines, including communities in the Volta Region.
According to him, the MCE project has already proven successful in neighbouring countries like Togo and Benin and should be urgently implemented in Ghana.
Hon. Worclachie noted that beyond reclaiming lost land, dredging would remove submerged debris such as old rocks, cement blocks and remnants of destroyed settlements that continue to affect fishing activities. He said these objects often tear fishing nets used by artisanal fishermen, worsening the economic hardship of coastal dwellers.
“We are so bent on seeing the dredging of the sea happen. That is the only ultimate solution,” he said, adding that similar results as seen in Benin could be achieved in Ketu South if the project were implemented without delay.
The MCE acknowledged the swift response of President Mahama following recent tidal wave devastation, noting that the President ensured the inclusion of the Keta-Blekusu Phase II sea defence project in the national budget despite it not being initially captured. He said within three months, the President had cut sod for the commencement of the project, which is currently ongoing.
He, however, indicated that although progress had been made with the construction of 7 groynes under the sea defence project, tidal waves continue to destroy several communities, including areas close to Amutsinu. This, he said, reinforced the need for the dredging component promised under the WACA programme to be implemented alongside the ongoing works.
Hon. Worclachie disclosed that the Assembly had taken steps by establishing two subcommittees, including a Coastal Development Subcommittee tasked with overseeing coastal planning and promoting interventions that would benefit affected communities. He said part of the committee’s mandate was to visit countries such as Benin to study the implementation of the WACA project and share findings with residents.
He explained that the initiative would help build awareness and strengthen local support for the project while ensuring that stakeholders were well-informed about its potential benefits. According to him, engaging communities in the process would also enhance cooperation and ensure the sustainability of the intervention when implemented.
The MCE further highlighted the humanitarian impact of the tidal waves, identifying Salakope as one of the worst-hit communities. He said repeated wave attacks had displaced several residents, forcing many to seek temporary shelter with relatives and friends in nearby communities such as Agavedzi.
He indicated that although some temporary relief had been provided, including tents from previous interventions, the situation remained challenging, with limited accommodation options available for displaced persons. He added that facilities such as the Ghana Gas settlement could only accommodate a small number of affected residents, necessitating further support.
Hon. Worclachie said plans were underway to engage stakeholders, including Ghana Gas, to expand resettlement efforts and provide additional support to affected communities. He stressed, however, that while relief measures were important, the long-term solution remained the implementation of the WACA project to prevent further destruction.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) recently visited coastal communities in the Anloga area, including Fuveme, to assess the impact of recurring tidal waves that have destroyed homes and displaced residents. The visit highlighted the growing vulnerability of coastal populations and the urgent need for sustained intervention.
The situation has renewed concerns over coastal erosion and the increasing frequency of tidal waves, which continue to disrupt livelihoods and expose communities to risk. Residents and local authorities have therefore intensified calls for government to expedite the implementation of the WACA project to provide lasting protection.
Stakeholders believe that accelerating the project will not only help reclaim lost lands but also restore ecosystems and build resilience among coastal communities, ensuring a safer and more secure future for residents along Ghana’s eastern coastline.
