President John Dramani Mahama has announced GH¢685 million to begin coastal protection works in Ghana’s Volta Region under the World Bank-backed West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA).
The allocation, combined with GH¢250 million included in the 2027 Budget for Phase II of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project, takes planned government spending on the region’s coastal defences to GH¢935 million.
Mahama made the announcement at the 64th Hogbetsotso Festival durbar in Anloga on Saturday, November 7. He said the funding followed repeated appeals from Anlo traditional leaders over tidal wave damage in Fuveme and nearby coastal communities.
“I can answer you directly on this one and confirm that 685 million Ghana cedis have been allocated to commence coastal protection works under the West African Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project, popularly known as WACA,” he said.
Under WACA ResIP, the GH¢685 million package will support the construction of breakwaters, groynes and revetments. It will also fund nature-based measures including beach replenishment, wetland restoration and the stabilisation of dunes through vegetation.
The programme includes the rehabilitation of lagoons and watersheds, as well as livelihood assistance for people living in affected coastal areas. Women, young people and persons with disabilities are among those identified as priority beneficiaries.
“No family should have to endure repeated displacement because of coastal erosion,” Mahama told chiefs and residents.
“Reference to Fuveme and the surrounding communities brings us back to the human consequences of coastal erosion. Behind every damaged home is a household whose security has been taken away.”
The president also called on residents and traditional authorities to protect coastal mangroves and wetlands. He warned that removing shoreline vegetation increases the vulnerability of communities to tidal surges.
Earlier at the durbar, the Awoamefia of the Anlo State, Torgbui Sri III, had urged the government to begin WACA beach reclamation urgently and ensure work on Phase II of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project continued without interruption.
Mahama also announced a further GH¢500 million for district housing projects across the Volta Region. The funding will complement the Oxygen City project in Ho, and he assured residents that Anloga would be included.
He said land acquisition and designs had been completed for a proposed 24-hour Aflao-Ashigame market. A Chinese technical team is expected to visit as preparations continue to activate a US$30 million Chinese government grant. Work is also advancing on plans for a 24-hour market in Anloga.
In response to education requests from Torgbui Sri III, Mahama said a site in Keta had been secured and inspected for a University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) School of Pharmacy. Campus designs and procurement processes are expected to follow.
He also promised to forward requests for a dormitory at Anlo Awoamefia Senior High School in Anyako, E-Blocks for Shime and Anlo Senior High School (ANSECO), and improvements at Atiavi Senior High Technical School to the Ministry of Education and GETFund.
Later on Saturday night, at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards in Accra, Mahama directed ministers and public officials to explain delays in government projects clearly to journalists and communities and to provide open accounts of taxpayers’ money.
