EXPLAINER: Why a state of emergency has been declared in coastal communities in Volta Region

For decades, residents of the Ketu South Municipality have battled the encroaching sea, losing homes, farmlands, and infrastructure to tidal waves.

Despite efforts by successive governments to mitigate the problem through the sea defence project, many vulnerable communities remain exposed, heightening fears of further devastation.

In recent days, the situation has worsened, with powerful tidal waves sweeping through several coastal communities.

The destruction has displaced hundreds of residents, wiping out homes, cemeteries, and livelihoods.

An assessment of the affected areas revealed that many of these communities lie significantly below sea level, making them highly susceptible to recurring high tides.

As the sea continues its relentless encroachment, residents fear that entire communities could be submerged if urgent action is not taken.

The severity of the crisis and the psychological trauma inflicted on residents prompted Volta Regional Minister James Gunu to declare a state of emergency.

Speaking at a recent meeting with the Volta Regional Security Council and officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) at Tokor in the Ketu South Municipality, James Gunu described the situation as a national security threat.

He emphasized that the scale of destruction, combined with the vulnerability of the affected communities, required immediate intervention to safeguard lives and property.

“I have actually made it a national security issue. Houses have been washed away, cemeteries are gone, and the psychological trauma that the people are going through, including children and women, calls for urgent action,” he stressed.

While the government has provided relief items to over 510 victims, many residents have expressed frustration over the temporary nature of the aid.

They are appealing for the completion of the sea defence project, which they believe is the only lasting solution to protect their communities.

“We don’t need rice or maize. All we need is for them to complete the sea defence so we can be safe and take care of ourselves,” said Makafui Atayi, one of the displaced residents.

The Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has also expressed concern over the worsening crisis, describing the situation as a threat to residents of the area.

In a recent Facebook post, she stated, “The sea is swallowing our land.

In the past couple of weeks, the sea has devastated our lands and homes even more than before, with my hardworking and long-suffering people of Ketu South being particularly impacted.

“I visited the community with the Municipal Coordinating Director. I subsequently briefed the Regional Minister, the Minister for the Interior, the Minister for Works and Housing, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), and the National Security Advisor. I have also engaged with the chiefs and many affected families.”

As part of the government’s response, a delegation comprising the Regional Minister, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and NADMO has visited the affected areas to assess the situation.

They have provided relief items to displaced victims on three separate occasions, offering temporary relief for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

However, with the threat of further destruction looming, the next phase of intervention involves evacuating residents at immediate risk.

The Chief of Agavedzi, Togbe Sewor, has also stepped in, offering temporary shelter for displaced families while authorities work to secure a lasting solution to this long-standing crisis.

The situation has reignited calls for the completion of the Ghana Gas shelter project, which was expected to provide 15 units of two-bedroom apartments to support relocation efforts.

However, work on the project has stalled, leaving affected families without an alternative place to seek refuge.

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his administration will prioritize the construction of sea defence projects to protect coastal communities threatened by floods and rising sea levels.

Speaking during his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) in his second term on Thursday, February 27, 2025, he stated that rising sea levels have intensified vulnerabilities in coastal areas, leading to flooding, habitat loss, and community displacement.

“Ghana has a coastline that stretches approximately 550 kilometres. Two-thirds of this coastline is threatened by tidal wave erosion, impacting nearly 30 per cent of Ghana’s population.

“Many of our drainage systems are inadequate, worsened by careless waterway construction, obstruction, and relentless encroachment on wetlands and floodplains,” he said.

The declaration of a state of emergency highlights the urgent need for comprehensive action to protect communities along the Volta coastline.

Without immediate intervention to strengthen coastal defences and provide permanent shelter for displaced families, the advancing sea could continue to wreak havoc, putting more lives and livelihoods at risk.