Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram has asked government to dedicate funds to securing Ghana’s coastlines instead of conducting feasibility studies on the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, during the Super Morning Show, the legislator was of the view that allocating more funds for the same purpose was unnecessary since feasibility and engineering studies have already been conducted for the project.
“The feasibility and engineering studies have been completed. The Minister for Works and Housing has already made this known in Parliament when he answered questions on the issue of the tidal waves. So when he [the Finance Minister] says he is allocating GH₵10million cedis for feasibility studies, what feasibility studies is he talking about?” he asked.
“What we want to see is actually dedication of funds to the securing of Ghanas coastlines,” he added.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, during an engagement with the press, revealed that government will allocate at least GH₵10million to complete the feasibility engineering studies on the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project.
According to the Minister, this allocation will see to it that the storm surge that renders many homeless in Keta, Ketu South, and Anloga constituencies will be a thing of the past.
“We shall make the necessary budgetary allocation of at least GH₵10million to complete the feasibility engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected,” he said.
Mr. Ofori-Atta also added that the incumbent government will “broaden the scope of the studies to consider a more comprehensive solution to protect Ghana’s 540km of coastline, including the 149km between Aflao and Prampram.”
Meanwhile, government has reiterated its commitment to completing the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of the tidal waves on residents as well as prevent a recurrence in the future.
According to the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, work has commenced on the second phase of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project and it would entail the construction of 37 armour rock groynes, with land reclamation covering a minimum coastal stretch of 8,000 meters (8 kilometers) to protect beaches and communities against encroachment by the sea.
Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah who was also on the Super Morning Show explained that the move by the government to conduct feasibility and engineering studies ahead of the main project is part of long-term solutions to addressing similar issues associated with towns located along the coasts.
“The unfortunate incident of the tidal wave in Keta is just a bigger problem for all towns and cities along our coastal lines and all government is saying is that we are looking at how we can have a proper study of the issue and come out with a solution that addresses all the coastal towns including Prampram and Axim and all those areas.
“So he should bear with government as we take a long-term broader view to addressing the problem,” he said.
