The Anlo Youth Council (AYC) has renewed its appeal for urgent action to protect coastal communities in the Volta Region from tidal waves, coinciding with increased government and partner focus on sea defence and resettlement. Godsway Hanyabui, the AYC’s Vice President for Operations, expressed cautious optimism, stressing unity, vigilance, and community involvement. The critical issue of coastal erosion and the need for comprehensive solutions are brought to the forefront, emphasizing community collaboration. For those living in Anlo, sea defence is not just infrastructure, it is a lifeline.
For generations, the people of Anlo have witnessed the sea claim homes, land, and cultural heritage. Communities within Anloga, Ketu South, and Keta have suffered greatly from tidal waves, losing homes, schools, farmland, and ancestral burial grounds. The Anlo Youth Council has consistently advocated for sustainable solutions to this coastal erosion crisis.
“The people of Anlo have suffered for too long. Generations have watched their homes, lands, and memories swallowed by the sea,” said Godsway Hanyabui, encapsulating the long-standing pain and loss experienced by the community.
The Agavedzi to Aflao Sea Defence Project, included in Ghana’s 2025 National Budget, offers a potential turning point. The project has expanded to include land reclamation, seen as crucial for long-term coastal resilience. According to the Volta Regional Minister, the project is awaiting financial clearance, with expectations that a contractor will soon mobilize to the site. This expanded scope of the project demonstrates a move beyond simple shoreline protection to something far more comprehensive.
In the meantime, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is providing temporary relief to displaced families, including tents and emergency supplies. Ghana Gas is also finalizing an agreement to support the completion of resettlement units already under construction, which aims to address permanent housing needs.
“These efforts are crucial in providing immediate assistance to those affected by the recent tidal wave incidents,” officials have stated, emphasizing the need to help those impacted.
An ongoing WACA Resilience Feasibility Study is informing the long-term coastal strategy. This comprehensive analysis includes sediment flow analysis and community consultations across the Anlo State (Anloga, Ketu South, and Keta Municipalities). The study seeks to develop solutions that are scientifically sound and sensitive to the needs of the community, learning from past interventions.
The study seeks to understand the complex dynamics of coastal erosion and develop sustainable strategies that protect both the environment and the livelihoods of the local communities. It marks a comprehensive look at the past and present situation, in order to plan for the future.
The AYC emphasizes its commitment to holding authorities accountable while mobilizing local participation to ensure that the resilience agenda delivers real and lasting impact. Godsway Hanyabui urged continued vigilance, unity, and support for the effort to secure the coastline and protect the community’s future.
“Let us continue to remain vigilant, united, and supportive of this effort to secure our coastline and protect our future. Together, we rise with the tide, not to be swept away by it,” Hanyabui stated.
The Anlo Youth Council’s urgent call for action underscores the critical need to address coastal erosion in the Volta Region. While cautious optimism surrounds the Agavedzi to Aflao Sea Defence Project and ongoing relief efforts, sustained unity, vigilance, and community engagement remain paramount. The AYC’s commitment to accountability and local participation emphasizes the importance of collaboration to ensure lasting impact. As communities await the implementation of these vital projects, their collective determination to protect their coastline and secure their future remains steadfast.
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