The coastal community of Agavedzi in the Ketu South Municipality of Ghana’s Volta Region is facing a dire humanitarian crisis following devastating tidal waves that have destroyed homes, displaced residents, and eroded vast portions of land. The rising Atlantic Ocean has claimed approximately 51 houses, leaving over 300 individuals homeless.
In addition to residential damage, the tidal waves encroached upon the community cemetery, washing away about 63 tombs. Some recovered remains have been relocated, but the people of Agavedzi and Blekusu fear further losses if the long-awaited sea defense project remains stalled. Assembly Member Ebenezer Assah emphasized the urgent need for government intervention, warning that more properties and vital infrastructure, including the Aflao-Anloga road, are at risk.
In response to the growing crisis, Volta Regional Minister James Gunu has declared a ‘state of emergency’, labeling the situation a national security threat. Following an emergency meeting with the Volta Regional Security Council and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), he called for immediate intervention to safeguard affected communities.
“I have made this a national security issue. Houses have been washed away, cemeteries are gone, and the psychological trauma on children and women is severe. We cannot afford any delays in addressing this crisis,” Mr. Gunu stressed.
An initial assessment revealed that many of the affected communities lie below sea level, making them highly vulnerable to recurring high tides. The government has since distributed relief items to over 510 victims, but residents insist that temporary aid is not enough.
Concerns over coastal erosion in Ketu South are not new. In March 2021, the then Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu South, Mr. Eliot Edem Agbenorwu, requested $83 million from the central government to address the Agavedzi tidal wave destruction. The proposal aimed to extend the 4.2 km Phase 1 Sea Defense Project from Agavedzi-Blekusu to Aflao, a move that could have protected communities from the ongoing devastation. However, the request was ignored, leaving residents vulnerable to the recurring destruction caused by the rising sea levels.
Community members and leaders have urged the government to prioritize the completion of the sea defense project, which was initiated under President John Mahama but later abandoned by the previous government. Tourism Minister and Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie, described the worsening coastal erosion as an existential threat, lamenting that “the sea is swallowing our land.”
Following visits to the affected communities, Hon. Gomashie engaged key government officials, including the Minister for Works and Housing and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), to push for long-term interventions. She confirmed that efforts are underway to revive the Coastal Protection Project and accelerate the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) initiative to mitigate further damage.
Many displaced residents have taken refuge in temporary shelters, with Chief Togbe Sewor offering a facility for those in immediate need. However, frustration is growing among the people of Agavedzi and Blekusu, who believe the government has neglected their plight for too long.
“We don’t need rice or maize. All we need is for them to complete the sea defense so we can be safe and take care of ourselves,” said one distressed resident, Makafui Atayi.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the stalled Ghana Gas shelter project, which was meant to provide 15 units of two-bedroom apartments for displaced families. With the threat of further destruction looming, residents are praying for its swift completion to support the proposed evacuation exercise.
As the community continues to grapple with the relentless impact of coastal erosion, there is growing pressure on the government to take decisive action. Experts caution that without the immediate implementation of comprehensive coastal protection measures, the destruction could escalate to catastrophic levels. For the residents of Agavedzi and its surrounding areas, their message is unequivocal: they seek sustainable, long-term solutions rather than temporary relief.
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