Government to extend sea defence wall along the coast(Back page) September 19,2008

Story: Michael Donkor,Keta
THE government is to extend the sea defence wall along all the coastal towns in the Volta Region and Ada in the Greater Accra Region.
Consequently, the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces has been tasked to construct culverst in all those identified towns along the coastal areas.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, announced this when he paid a working visit to various coastal towns including Dzita, Keta Akplowotorkor and Atokor, all in the Volta Region, to assess the impact of the damage caused by the tidal waves that occured recently in those areas.
According to Dr Addo-Kufuor, the recent tidal waves experienced around the coastal parts of the country was due to global warming resulting from the activities of industrialised countries saying ti was unfortunate that Ghana had to bear the brunt for the action of others.
The mission of government, he noted, was not to apportion blame but to respond to the needs of those who had been adversely affacted and to provide them with relief items.
As part of efforts to alleviate the plight of those affected and to also to find lasting solutions to the problem, he announced a three-pronged approach which will aim at providing those affected with relief items in the short term, tasking the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces to construct culverts in the towns and the long-term plan of extending the Keta Sea Defence wall to the affected areas.
He presented those affected with food items and other items like plastic bowls, cups, mattresses and others.
Mr. Addo Kufuor however cautioned against the removal of rocks which serve as boulders at the seas defence site saying such practice will not augur well for the protection of lives and properties of people in the area in the likely event of flooding.
"As much as government is willing and will do its best to help you, you must also do your best to ensure that you collaborate with government in ensuring that the project, when it begins, moves on smoothly without any problems", he added.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi recounted that he had earlier visited the area and provided them with relief items and promised that he would return with the Minister of Interior for him to have a first-hand account of the situation.
The coming of the minister to the area, he said, was ample proof of the committment of government to addressing the needs of people with promptness and concern.
He entreated the people to make judicious use of the items they had been given as they work at getting more items to alleviate their plight.
The Keta Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Kofi Ahiabor assured the people of government's readiness to ensure that their houses that were destroyed were re-built adding that the Minister of Interior had instructed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to supply them with roofing sheets for that purpose.
One of the victims of the flooding incident, Madam Mercy Gadabor, a 52-year old trader recounted she had been awakened at night by the ravages of the sea while sleeping with her grandchildren.
In the process, she said, her goods, properties and fish she had stocked for the lean season were destroyed while the books that her children and grandchildren use at school were also destroyed.
It will be recounted that on Wednesday, 2nd September 2008, hundred of homes were flooded and thousands of people were displaced in the Keta Municipality and other parts of the country due to high tidal waves that swept over the coastal areas.
No casualties were recorded apart from some octogenarians who were trapped in their rooms and had to be rescued by the youth of the area and sent to hospital.
The most affected towns are Dzita, Akplowotorkor and Dakordzi, mostly farming communities, where farms have been overrun by water.
The displaced persons, mainly women and children, were awakened by the currents that flooded their rooms while they were still asleep.
Properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed while people have abandoned their homes to seek refuge with families and friends in nearby Anloga, Keta and surrounding towns and villages.
The president, John Agyekum Kufuor then directed the release of GH¢7million to be used in providing relief and assistance for those who were affected in those areas.