Ministry puts in measures to check sea erosion

Accra, June 14, GNA - Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister of Works and Housing, on Tuesday said the Ministry through the Hydrological Services Department (HSD) has established a coastal erosion management plan to protect the country's shorelines including 10 communities in the Ahanta West Constituency against the threat of sea erosion. "This management plan comprises planning, investigations, surveys, design and supervision of construction of erosion control structures at communities threatened by sea wave attack along the coast," the Minister told Parliament in answer to a question on what the Ministry was doing to protect some communities in the Ahanta West Constituency against sea erosion.

He said following the completion of studies and designs, a total amount of over 327 million cedis was provided from 1999 to 2003 for work on construction of 20 number gabion groneys at Princess Town and Akatakyi in the constituency.

According to the Minister, between 1999 and 2001, 10 number gabion groneys of a total length of 240 metres were constructed at a total cost of over 111 million cedis at Butre also in the Ahanta West Constituency. "However, due to the initial slow pace of work at Princess Town and Akatakyi as a result of low levels of budgetary allocations, the Ministry sourced HIPC Funds in 2004 for speedy implementation of contracts. An amount of 500 million cedis was thus released and this was able to complete work at the Akatakyi section with the Princess section reaching 50 per cent completion," Mr Owusu-Agyeman said.

He said in respect of sea erosion problems at New Amanful, Adjoa and Funkoe, all in the constituency, the Ministry had again submitted proposals to HIPC disbursement committee for funds to undertake erosion protection works at these places on the list of urgent projects.