Govt should take measures to halt Ada sea erosion

Ada, Nov. 8, GNA - The people of Ada on Tuesday appealed to the government to urgently tackle the Ada sea erosion problem to avoid the loss of land and property.

They said they were alarmed at the fast rate at which they had been loosing land and their buildings within the past two years. The people made the appeal when the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing, Mr Samuel Johnfia and Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, MP for Ada paid a visit to the area to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the sea erosion after numerous complains from the people.

Mr Johnfia told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the rate of erosion along the coastline was very intense, hence the need for immediate action to be taken before more land was lost, displacing the people and imposing economic hardship on them.

"The erosion has affected economic activities in the Ada area and there is the need for remedial measures until funds are sourced for the main sea defence project."

Mr Johnfia said most families claimed they had lost their homes and businesses to the sea and many more were under threat including the District Assembly building, which was now only 20 metres away from the sea.

He assured them that the necessary steps would be taken to curb the situation.

Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo said the situation had gone from bad to worse and the earlier it was given the necessary attention the better. He advised the people not to continue living in a state of insecurity and fear but rather, should voluntarily start relocating to safer grounds.

Mr Tettey-Enyo urged the District Assembly to set up a special committee to continue monitoring the situation and to advise government. Mr Hubert Osei-Wusuansah, Consultant Engineer with the Hydrology Department of the Ministry of Works and Housing, said the magnitude of the erosion could be compared to that of Keta.

He attributed the fast erosion to the intense waves and angle of attack on the shores, making the old breakwater constructed some years ago to be submerged.

Mr Osei-Wusuansah said the type of sea defence structure built at Keta would be suitable for Ada despite the high cost involved.