We can’t build houses for you; relocate for your own safety – Minister to tidal waves victims

The Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, has said the government is considering a compulsory relocation of victims affected by the recent tidal waves that hit parts of the country’s shoreline.

Scores of settlers around some coastal communities in the Volta and Central regions have been displaced after strong tidal waves destroyed their homes and properties.

But after a tour of some affected communities, Mr. Atta Akyea indicated that government might be compelled to forcefully relocate persons affected to guarantee their safety.

“Because of the communal system of our localities, they should try and remove themselves and stay with relatives. I don’t see why somebody will be audacious that yesterday your structure which was closed to the sea was wiped out, but nevertheless you want to stay there and you’ll become your own enemy. So you should find space there because I cannot see that the next six months, the government of Akufo-Addo is going to roll-out houses for them to live in- That will be a lie. If somebody is foolhardy about this situation, it will be very serious. If you want us to do compulsory evacuation, if it is so we’ll carry it out”

Some schools in the Ketu South District in the Volta Region were closed Monday as the classroom served as makeshift shelter for displaced residents.

It is one of several towns along Ghana’s coast hit by strong tidal waves days ago.

At least 1500 residents in Keta and Ketu South Municipalities have been displaced while 242 houses have been submerged and several properties worth thousands of cedis destroyed in the latest incident.

Their livelihood has greatly been affected with over ten boats and nets completely destroyed in Kedzi in the Keta Municipality.

In 2015, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration started construction of a sea defence wall in the area to stop the extensive erosion along the beach.

The project, which was handed to Amandi Holdings Limited to execute, was to be completed in 19 months at a cost of $40 million.

It however came to a halt, leaving the residents to bear the full brunt of the wave on Sunday.