President Mahama commits GH¢685m to protect coastal communities under WACA

The government has allocated GH¢685 million to commence coastal protection works under the West African Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA), as part of efforts to protect vulnerable communities from tidal waves and coastal erosion.

President John Dramani Mahama disclosed this at this year’s Hogbetsotso Festival at Agbogbo in the Volta Region, where he acknowledged concerns raised by the Awoamefia, Togbui Sri III, about the impact of coastal erosion on communities in the Anlo area.

“My father, Togbui, I can answer you directly on this matter and confirm that GH¢685 million has been allocated to commence coastal protection works under the West African Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project, popularly known as WACA,” he said.

The allocation will cover engineering interventions, including breakwaters, groynes and revetments, as well as dune fixation through vegetation, beach replenishment and wetlands restoration.

Other components of the project will involve lagoon and watershed rehabilitation, alongside livelihood support for communities within the programme area, particularly young people, women and persons with disabilities.

President Mahama said the government was concerned about the human cost of coastal erosion, especially in communities such as Fugame and surrounding areas, where the destruction of homes and infrastructure has affected residents’ security and livelihoods.

“Togbui, your reference to Fugame 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,” he said.

He added that fishing activities, schools, community facilities and places of cultural importance were also at risk.

The President further disclosed that an additional GH¢250 million had been allocated in the 2027 Budget for the continuation and completion of the Blekusu Phase Two Coastal Protection Project.

He said the project was commissioned immediately after he assumed office because of the scale of the problem confronting residents in the area.

“I wish to announce to you that I am happy with the progress of WACA, and I am pleased to inform you that an additional amount of GH¢250 million has been allocated in the 2027 Budget for the continuation and completion of the Blekusu Phase Two Project,” he said.

President Mahama also appealed to traditional leaders and residents to help protect mangroves and wetlands, explaining that the destruction of coastal vegetation weakened the shoreline and increased its vulnerability to erosion.

“I therefore ask our traditional leaders and residents to support the protection of mangroves and wetlands in order to prevent this,” he added.

The President said protecting coastal communities was part of the government’s responsibility to ensure that families could live in safety and that livelihoods dependent on the coast were preserved

Richard Aniagyei, ISD