Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye says it is government’s determination on providing protection to communities along the coastlines in the country against the continuous adverse effects of tidal waves and rising sea levels.
Ghana’s total coastlines stretch to about 550km, of which two-thirds, approximately 367km requires reclamation and development against the continuous effect of the tidal waves and rising sea levels, with an estimated thirty per cent (30%) of the country’s population living along the coastlines.
Speaking to the media during a two-day tour of the central region to inspect at first hand the ongoing Sea Defence Projects at Anomabo, Komenda, Cape Coast and Elmina Phase II & III, he said government will take the concerns of the people living along the coastlines into consideration in the project monitoring and evaluation process.
“I’m very impressed with the work I’ve seen here so far. This project was meant to one Tech’s this famous European castle, Cape Coast Castle, because of its tourist potential. It also supposed to enhance fishing activities here in Cape Coast. So, the project is supposed to enhance fishing activities. And it’s also supposed to protect lives, and property, all these building, the sea defense projects are going to protect them. And I’m happy to see that this fishing bay, the water there is being stabilized so that Fisher folks can walk their canoes and go about their normal duties. That is what the project is about. And even though the project is now 60% in completion, it has started yielding results. I want to take this opportunity to commend the contractor, Volous Construction for a good job done not realize about this project is that there is a community and technical interface. It’s as a result of the interface between the community and the consultants that this project was designed by since coming here. I’ve heard from the residents. I’ve also heard from the officials, managers of the customer. And we’ve expressed concerns regarding the implementation of the projects and that is what my monitoring visit is about. So that we incorporate the proposed concern to make the project very beneficial to the people. So all these concerns will be taken care of technically, we factored in as the implementation goes on so that this the customer this side will be protected”.
Mr Asenso-Boakye mentioned that the NPP government has over the period resolved to take proactive measures to protect and safeguard coastal communities, as well as promote sustainable socio-economic activities and livelihoods, particularly, fishing, tourism and protection of communities.
Source: ATLFMNEWSROOM
