Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has announced that over six private investors have shown interest in partnering with the government to develop and operate the Keta Port in the Volta Region.
GPHA’s Director-General, Michael Luguje, noted that an environmental and social impact assessment report will be prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and shared with the investors as part of the port’s development process.
In October 2018, President Akufo-Addo signed an Executive Instrument (EI) officially designating the location in Keta as the Port of Keta, to be overseen by the GPHA.
However, residents of Keta have voiced concerns over the government’s delay in advancing the port’s construction.
In a recent interview, Mr. Luguje revealed that the government is still awaiting formal proposals from the interested investors for the project.
“Whilst we are waiting for the environmental and social impact assessment, we started already engaging potential investors. So far over six different companies, local and international, have expressed interest in partnering government to build that port.
“But they also need the environmental and social impact assessment report to help them inform and refine the proposals they will be submitting to us.
“We hope that in the next month or two, if we get the report released by the EPA, then we will submit it to these investors and then they will go through and then work towards giving us much more concrete proposals on what kind of partnership they want to have with us to build andoperate the Port of Keta.”
In the coastal communities of Anloga and Keta in the Volta Region of Ghana, residents have voiced grievances regarding what they perceive as insensitive billing practices by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
They claim that the irregular and excessive billing not only poses frustrations but also leads to significant disruptions in their daily routines and threatens the viability of local businesses.
During interviews with various residents, a prevailing sentiment surfaced: widespread discontent and disillusionment with the ECG’s billing procedures.
Numerous individuals recounted instances of receiving bills vastly surpassing their actual usage, with several noting abrupt surges in charges lacking explanation or justification.
Emmanuel Gbli, a local small business proprietor in Anloga, voiced his exasperation, stating, “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to sustain my business with these outrageous electricity bills. I’ve tried to reason with ECG officials but to no avail. It’s like they don’t care about the impact on us.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Martha, a resident of Keta, who lamented, “We are constantly living in fear of receiving our electricity bills. It’s like a lottery; you never know what amount they’ll come up with next. This uncertainty is suffocating both households and businesses alike.”
Community leaders have also added their voices to the grievances, condemning the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for its perceived insensitivity and neglect. They contend that these billing practices not only destabilize the local economy but also diminish confidence in public utilities.
In reaction to the outcry, representatives from the ECG have recognized the complaints and pledged to conduct an investigation into the issue. Nonetheless, residents maintain a sense of skepticism, pointing to past assurances that have resulted in minimal observable improvements.
Villa Amore Beach Resort and Aborigines Beach Resort, alongside numerous other businesses, find themselves impacted by the exorbitant billing from ECG.
Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Public Relations Officer of ECG has reassured residents to stay calm as the company works to address the issue.
Following the recent floods in Keta, the KGL Foundation has stepped up to help the affected communities.
They organized health screenings, blood donation drives, and distributed relief items to support those struggling in the aftermath of the disaster, showcasing their commitment to social responsibility.
Nii Annorbah-Sarpei, the Programs Manager of KGL Foundation, spoke on behalf of the CEO, Dr. Elliot Daddey, emphasizing the foundation’s dedication to assisting communities in times of need.
“As part of our social responsibility, the KGL Foundation stands with the people of Keta during this challenging period. We are here to provide assistance and support in any way we can,” stated Annorbah-Sarpei.
The initiative started with comprehensive health screenings to identify health issues among flood victims. Medical professionals and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure individuals received necessary medical attention and care.
Recognizing the critical need for blood donations, especially in emergencies, the KGL Foundation organized a blood donation drive. The community responded overwhelmingly, with many individuals stepping forward to donate blood to replenish local supplies.
“Blood is a precious resource, and the outpouring of support from the community has been truly heartening,” Annorbah-Sarpei remarked, expressing gratitude to all those who contributed to the cause.
In addition to health support, the foundation distributed essential relief items to affected households. These items, including food supplies, clean water, blankets, and hygiene kits, aim to alleviate the immediate hardships faced by families in the aftermath of the floods.
Upon receiving the items, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Keta, Emmanuel Gemegah, expressed his appreciation for the KGL Foundation’s timely assistance.
“The support provided by the KGL Foundation is invaluable to our community. These relief items will go a long way in helping families rebuild their lives,” said Gemegah.
Gemegah also emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in times of crisis, stating, “It is heartwarming to see organizations like KGL stepping up to support our community. Together, we can overcome the challenges posed by the floods and emerge stronger.”
The KGL Foundation’s commitment to social responsibility and community welfare continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by the floods. Their swift and comprehensive response reflects a dedication to standing by the people of Keta during their time of need.
As recovery efforts continue, the KGL Foundation remains steadfast in its pledge to support the community and assist in rebuilding efforts. Through ongoing initiatives and compassionate outreach, they strive to create a more resilient and united community for the future.
Member of Parliament for Keta, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, has noted that the people living around the Volta Coastline have experienced 14 tidal wave destructions within the span of 7 years.
In an address to parliament, the Minister indicated that its impact on the communities along the coast has increased significantly, but the government has turned deaf ears to their plight.
Mr Speaker, in recent years, the frequency of tidal wave destruction and its impact on communities along the coast have increased significantly, but the government’s apparent indifference to the plight of our people is deeply troubling.
Mr Speaker, between January 20 2017 and February 2024 alone, a total of 16 tide wave destructions occurred along the coast of Keta Anglo and Ketu South,” Mr Gakpey stated.
Residents living along the coast in Keta and its adjoining communities have once again been hit with devastation caused by tidal waves.
At dawn on February 16, residents were met with a distressing sight of their homes inundated with seawater, exacerbating the deterioration of already crumbling structures due to years of enduring tidal waves and their aftermath.
According to some residents interviewed by Citi News, the situation has reached an intolerable level, prompting urgent calls for a resolution to halt the ongoing crisis.
“The tidal waves have since been worrying us. Last year, we had to suffer from this phenomenon, and this year, we have started experiencing the same problems. We want the authorities to take urgent steps quickly to ensure this does not affect many people.
“We are also appealing for dredging along the coast. It has been affecting our businesses as well. The trees here have also been submerged in the sea,” a resident lamented.
Ghanaian religious leader and charismatic preacher, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams unfolded a gripping tale from his childhood during a recent preaching appointment.
The Archbishop recounted a near-catastrophic incident where he narrowly avoided the clutches of a fierce flood in Keta.
Sent to live with an aunt during a perilous flood in Keta, the Archbishop shared that as boats were summoned to evacuate the endangered residents, his aunt suddenly realised he was missing.
Unbeknownst to everyone, including his own family, Archbishop Duncan-Williams had been left behind in the tumult of the impending disaster.
Recalling the moment, he stated, “I remember my auntie told me a story. When I was a little kid, my mother took me to a place at Keta. There was a flood, and so, they brought these small boats to pick everybody up and everybody was in the boat, then my auntie remembered that I wasn’t there; I wasn’t among everybody.”
Describing himself as “Nukuvi,” meaning a wonder child in Ewe, Archbishop Duncan-Williams continued, “So, then my auntie said in Ewe, where is Nukuvi? They looked around, and I wasn’t there. I was in the house sleeping, and they had left me; they had forgotten about me… so, they had to rush and come and take me.”
The spiritual leader emphasised that shortly after his rescue, the floodwaters surged in, devastating the entire area.
The incident left an indelible mark on his life, highlighting what he considers a divine intervention that spared him from the tragic fate that befell the surroundings.
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams’ story serves as a testament to the miraculous twists of fate and the profound belief in divine protection, leaving his followers inspired by the inexplicable hand of providence in the face of adversity.
The Volta Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has refuted assertions made by President Akufo-Addo regarding the completion of a coastal fish landing site in Keta within the region.
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday, President Akufo-Addo stated that his administration had finalized the construction of 12 coastal fish landing sites across various regions, including Keta in the Volta Region.
However, in a press release dated February 29, the Regional Communications Officer of the NDC, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze, dismissed the President’s claim, asserting that no such facility existed in Keta.
The party urged President Akufo-Addo to conduct thorough investigations before making such declarations.
“What is equally displeasing is the President’s mention of a non-existent project like the Keta Fish Landing Site on page 22 of his presentation. We want to once again put on record that there is no such project in Keta or any other place in the Volta Region.
“The President should learn to insulate himself from always being misled by doing due diligence in getting accurate information on such crucial matters,” portions of the statement read.
Also, the Volta Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticized President Akufo-Addo for failing to mention the compensation of flood victims in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The secretariat expressed its disappointment, stating that the floods had worsened the already challenging situations faced by many families and individuals in the region. They expected the President to address this issue and provide support to those affected.
“The people were actually expecting to hear something about the disbursement of the GH¢220 million allocated in the 2024 Budget to support the affected communities, the funds from the World Bank under the IDA Crisis Response Window (CRW) to support the resettlement of the victims, restoration of livelihoods, compensation and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected communities,” Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze said.
Moreover, the group described the President’s omission as a deliberate lack of empathy and commitment to the well-being of the flood victims, stating that they interpreted his silence as such. The Secretariat appealed to President Akufo-Addo to prioritize the concerns of the victims and compensate them accordingly.
“The Volta NDC strongly requests the President to urgently address this issue and prioritise the needs of those affected by the flood disaster and tidal waves. We demand immediate action to provide relief aid, rehabilitate affected communities, and implement sustainable measures to prevent future occurrences,” the statement added.
Coastal residents residing in Keta and adjacent communities are grappling once more with the destructive impact of tidal waves, as their homes face inundation.
The Friday morning awakening brought with it the unwelcome sight of seawater infiltrating homes, exacerbating the already dilapidated condition of structures that have long endured the adverse effects of tidal waves.
In conversations with Citi News, distressed residents expressed the unbearable nature of the situation, calling urgently for a comprehensive solution to alleviate the crisis.
The persistent onslaught of tidal waves has left the community in dire straits, prompting residents to plead for swift intervention from authorities.
A resident conveyed the community’s plea, stating, “The tidal waves have been an ongoing source of concern for us. Last year, we suffered from this phenomenon, and this year, we find ourselves grappling with the same issues. We implore the authorities to take immediate action to prevent widespread impact on the community.”
The plea also emphasizes the crucial need for coastal dredging to address the root of the problem.
Beyond the structural damage to homes, residents highlighted the detrimental effects on local businesses, with trees now submerged in the sea.
The community unites in urging authorities to swiftly implement effective measures to safeguard homes and livelihoods from the recurring tidal wave crises.
Hundreds of residents at Abutiakope, Aborigines Beach, and its surrounding communities in Keta, Volta Region, have been displaced by another emerging tidal surge.
The surge resulted in damage to many buildings and personal belongings such as televisions, refrigerators, and cooking utensils, among others, worth thousands of Ghana cedis.
The Assembly member of Abutiakope Electoral Area, Mr. Promise Kofi Baccah, stated that the incident occurred during the early hours of Thursday, February 15.
“Many people have been displaced, properties destroyed, and victims are now stranded,” he stated.
Mr. Baccah mentioned that the tidal wave had also destroyed summer hats, coconut trees, and other recreational areas at the shores. He added that hundreds of residents who were rendered homeless were seeking refuge with their relatives, as rescue efforts from the authorities had not yet reached them.
“We no longer need any relief items, what my people want now is the construction of a sea defense wall to protect them from the tidal waves to save lives.”
The Assembly member also noted that several stranded victims lost their sources of livelihood, such as farms, boats, canoes, and nets to the tidal wave. He appealed to individuals, philanthropists, corporate entities, and the government to urgently address the situation to avoid any unforeseen disaster.
Some victims were observed living with friends and relatives, while others were relocating to other communities.
Another tidal surge has struck Abutiakope, Aborigines Beach, and nearby communities in Keta, Volta Region, displacing hundreds of residents and causing extensive property damage.
According to Mr. Promise Kofi Baccah, the Assembly member of Abutiakope Electoral Area, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, February 15. Numerous buildings were affected, and personal belongings such as televisions, refrigerators, and cooking utensils worth thousands of Ghana cedis were damaged.
“The tidal wave has left many people displaced, properties destroyed, and victims stranded,” Baccah reported.
He added that the surge had also ravaged summer hats, coconut trees, and recreational areas along the shores. As a result, many residents have been forced to seek refuge with relatives, awaiting assistance from authorities.
“We no longer need any relief items, what my people want now is the construction of a sea defense wall to protect them from the tidal waves to save lives.”
The Assembly member highlighted that many affected individuals lost crucial livelihood assets, including farms, boats, canoes, and fishing nets, to the tidal surge.
He urged individuals, philanthropists, corporate entities, and the government to promptly address the situation to prevent further disaster.
The Ghana News Agency observed that some displaced victims had sought shelter with friends and relatives, while others were in the process of relocating to alternative communities.
Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Keta, Emmanuel Gemegah, has defended the necessity of the newly introduced emissions levy on vehicles, emphasizing its role in national development.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced the implementation of the Emissions Levy Act, 2023 (Act 1112), commencing on February 01, 2024, sparking debates and concerns among various sections of the Ghanaian populace.
In an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency on Thursday, Gemegah justified the collection of the levy, noting that it was passed in Parliament with the support of lawmakers from both political parties.
“I am calling on Mr. Kwame Gakpey, Mr Richard Sefe and Madam Dzifa Gomashie to come down to educate our people on this new levy on how it came about, let us not make it look as if it was an imposition by the President or the Finance Minister on Ghanaians,” Mr Gemegah said.
He highlighted the international context, referring to the Paris Agreement adopted on December 12, 2015, which emphasizes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of eco-friendly technology and green energy.
The Keta MCE specifically called on Parliamentarians such as Mr. Kwame Gakpey, Mr. Richard Sefe, and Madam Dzifa Gomashie to engage in public education about the emissions levy. He emphasized the need to clarify that it was not an imposition by the President or the Finance Minister but a collective decision supported by parliamentary approval.
According to the provisions of the act, motorcycles and tricycles will pay GHC75 per annum, motor vehicles, buses, and coaches up to 3000 cubic centimeters will be charged GHC150 per annum, while those above 3000 cubic centimeters will pay GHC300 per annum. Cargo trucks and articulated trucks are also required to pay GHC300 annually.
Gemegah appealed to citizens to embrace the payment of the levy, emphasizing the role of taxes in national development. He stressed that taxes contribute to the government’s ability to invest in essential services such as education, road construction, and water provision.
“Taxes develop a nation; we cannot expect the government to build our schools, construct roads, and provide us water if we do not pay taxes and levies. So, as citizens, let us embrace the culture of paying taxes to help change our communities,” urged Mr. Gemegah.
Residents of Keta Central in the Volta Region have been gripped by fear following the discovery of an unidentified lifeless body washed ashore at Keta Emancipation Beach on Friday, December 15, 2023.
James Ocloo Akorli, the local Assembly Member, revealed that the incident occurred around 11:35 AM on Friday morning, leaving many residents in shock as such an occurrence was unprecedented in the area.
“Several residents are in shock because we have never experienced such an incident here before,” he said.
According to Akorli, the unidentified deceased individual may have been transported from elsewhere to the area, as no one could recognize the body.
Eyewitness Samuel Dorvlo explained that upon close examination, it was observed that the eyes, nose, ribs, and other body parts had been removed, making it challenging to determine the gender of the deceased.
“We do not know how long the deceased has been in the sea, and the missing parts may have been removed by wild animals in the sea,” Dorvlo remarked.
The case has been reported to the Keta Police for further investigation and action.
A youth activist from Nukpesekope, a district within Keta in the Volta region, Mr. Wonder Setsoafia Deynu, has made an earnest plea to the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the locality, urging the temporary closure of schools.
His rationale is to ensure the safety and well-being of school children in communities affected by flooding.
Mr. Deynu, who also serves as the President of the Concerned Youth Association of Keta, emphasized the perilous nature of the situation, deeming it a matter of utmost urgency.
In a formal letter addressed to Gerhard Avudzivi, the Keta Municipal Education Director, Mr. Deynu pointed out that Keta has been grappling with an unprecedented and sustained period of heavy rainfall, resulting in severe flooding in the region.
“The floodwaters have inundated streets, residential areas, and have encroached upon the premises of the schools,” it stated.
Mr. Deynu, who also holds the position of Deputy Constituency Communication Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Keta, additionally emphasized that the current circumstances had generated perilous conditions affecting children, school staff, and the general public.
“It was necessary to request from the Municipal Education Department to consider temporary closure of all basic schools within the affected areas in order to avoid any untoward situation.”
He further requested the GES to ensure that parents and guardians are kept well-informed about any forthcoming updates and significant decisions regarding the closure of schools, employing appropriate communication channels.
A tour of the coastal communities by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed the extensive damage inflicted on numerous areas as a result of the Akosombo dam’s discharge.
In the meantime, the submerged Keta Municipal Library has already been shuttered.
This action, as announced in a release on Wednesday, was primarily due to safety concerns arising from the flooding of the Sogakope Bulk Supply Point, which was caused by the spillage from the Akosombo Dam.
🇬🇭🚨The Akosombo Dam spillage by VRA is wreaking havoc downstream, 🌊submerging homes and farms in Sogakpoe and nearby communities. Reports paint a dire picture of disaster as it surges relentlessly from Battor, Mepe Adidome, Tefle, and Sogakope, down to Anlo.
The affected areas encompass Sogakope, Akatsi, Adidome, Anloga, Abor, Keta, and the surrounding regions.
The statement further indicated that a team of engineers from both the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and ECG is on standby, ready to restore power supply to the affected areas as soon as the floodwaters recede.
The inconvenience caused by this shutdown is deeply regretted,” it added.
Residents downstream of the Akosombo Dam and those living near the riverbanks, are advised to evacuate the area as the spillage flow rate has reportedly increased to 5,700 cubic meters per second, nearly three times the amount that caused significant damage downstream. Fish farms… pic.twitter.com/EbvQdpSSo3
Some Persons with Disability (PWDs) in the Keta constituency of the Volta Region are expressing concerns about the financial burden associated with reaching the limited voter registration center in the area.
The registration exercise, conducted in accordance with Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution, aims to register eligible voters aged 18 years and above for the upcoming District Assembly elections in October and the 2024 General Election.
Madam Sherita Kudoda, the Chairperson of the PWDs in Keta, stated in an interview with the Ghana News Agency that some PWDs residing in the area are struggling financially to travel to the registration center.
“Many do not have the money to travel long distances to Keta, where the registration center is located,” she explained.
Madam Kudoda pointed out that PWDs living in areas such as Hatorgodo, Lawoshime, Hagodzi, Mamime, Abor, and the surrounding communities would have to spend a significant amount, not less than GH₵200, to access the limited registration center in Keta. She described this situation as challenging and unfortunate, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters in the upcoming elections.
“Our organization does not have the financial means to cover the travel expenses of our people to the registration center,” she added.
Madam Kudoda appealed to individuals, philanthropists, and political parties to assist in transporting members to the registration center to enable their participation in the exercise.
She also urged the Electoral Commission to reconsider holding the limited voter’s registration at various polling stations to make it more accessible for PWDs and other eligible voters, reducing the financial burden on them.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has given assurance to residents in the Keta area that it will fully adhere to the country’s local content policy during the implementation of the Keta Port project.
Mr. Sam Dzackah, the Project Coordinator for Coastal Ports Development at GPHA, affirmed that the Authority would employ a similar approach to the local content law in the oil and gas sector when engaging local residents for the project. He stated that “Keta is a place of experts.”
The Petroleum (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations of 2013 emphasize the prioritization of local residents in terms of employment in the petroleum industry and ensuring that they benefit from the country’s natural resources.
Mr. Dzackah provided this reassurance during a public engagement focused on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The event was organized by GPHA in collaboration with Coastal and Reclamation Engineering Services (CARES) Ghana Limited, the consultants responsible for the ESIA of the Keta Port project. This engagement is part of the process leading to the construction of the Keta Port.
The separate engagements took place in Dzelukope, Kedzi, and Havedzi and aimed to allow local residents to voice concerns about potential adverse social and environmental impacts of the proposed port. The goal was to identify suitable mitigation measures.
Residents from various communities, including Keta, Adzido, Vodza, Kedzi Agorta, Havedzi, Horvi, Blekusu, and Anlo-Afiadenyigba, attended the forum.
Among the concerns raised were compensation for families that would need to relocate to accommodate the project, the preservation of livelihoods for fishing-dependent communities, the safeguarding of cultural heritage, and the promotion of tourism.
Mr. Dzackah highlighted that the Keta area (Anlo) has a reputation for producing some of Ghana’s best human resources. Therefore, the project would create numerous opportunities to benefit the local population.
“Put yourselves in readiness for the project. The Keta Port, which will have a port city and industrial enclave, will incorporate the tourism aspect,” he said.
“There will be proposal for measures of safeguarding the communities in terms of alternative livelihood including opportunities for people to own businesses. For local content, indigenes will be recruited for manual labour, semi-skilled and at expert levels.”
Mr. Mathew Baker, the Technical Manager at CARES Ghana Ltd, emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement, highlighting its critical role in evaluating the project’s potential positive and negative effects on local communities.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has outlined the project as a commercial harbor that will encompass a container terminal, fishing harbor, tourism hub, and other pertinent facilities.
The Social and Environmental Impact Assessment, constituting the project’s second phase following the completion of the feasibility study, is expected to extend over a period of six months. Subsequently, construction will commence.
Member of Parliament for Keta, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, has shared an inspiring and touching account of his tenacious pursuit of education during his early years. He narrated a heartwarming story of resilience and determination amidst the challenges he faced.
The Keta MP disclosed that during his childhood, he had to walk a distance of three miles without shoes every day for more than three years due to a lack of resources.
Recalling his humble beginnings, in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Nimatu Yakubu Atouyese, he revealed that he walked a gruelling three miles to school daily, facing the scorching heat under his bare feet, owing to the lack of sandals and vehicles in his rural community.
“Those days there was no electricity, no pipe-borne water, and you have to walk about three miles to school. Walking three hours, no vehicles, you have to walk barefooted, and on your way going, sometimes you have to get water in a bottle, so that when the sun is burning from the heat, you pour small, stand on it for some time, and continue the journey,” shared Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey.
The inspiring journey to attain education was not without its challenges, but his determination to learn and better his life kept him going. In an effort to ease the discomfort caused by the scorching ground, he carried water along, wetting his feet on the arduous walk to school.
The Keta MP’s early struggles did not deter him from striving for success. In addition to pursuing his education, he ventured into petty trading, taking up the responsibility of transporting crabs from Anloga Market to Afram Plains to sell.
His mother, a teacher, played a vital role in shaping his character, instilling the values of hard work and enterprise.
“I was going into even petty trading where I have to take crabs from Anloga Market all the way to Afram Plains in the 90s where my mom; though a teacher, would go into such trades, and I would follow her. And we would have to go to such places as Nkawkaw, Afram Plains, Kwesi Fante, Maame Krobo, those days… it was a good business,” shared the Keta MP.
Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey’s inspiring journey from walking barefoot to school as a pupil to becoming a Member of Parliament is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and resilience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e06Xo3HY5HI
He is the Member of Parliament for the Keta constituency in the Volta Region of Ghana.
He joined parliament in 2021 has been reelected to represent the party ahead of the 2024 elections.
Three Coastal communities in the Keta Municipality of Volta Region have been submerged by the roaring sea.
The once thriving hub for fishing activities years ago have now been completely washed away.
Consequently, the inhabitants have relocated to other parts of the country and neighboring West Africa countries in search of jobs and livelihoods.
Agorkedzi, Atiteti, Dzita, Kedzikope, Horvi, Blekusu, Adina and Agavedzi appear to be the next in line to submit to the roar of the Atlantic Ocean.
A colonial relic, Prinzenstein, built in 1784 by the Danes in Keta, which served as a prison, is in ruins on the stretch.
It had served as a transit point for slaves from Accra, Northern Volta, Togo and Dahomey in Benin.
The roof is almost gone, the wooden structures are weak, while portions of the walls have fallen.
Few meters away from the forts is the Saint Michael Cathedral, described as a magnificent worship centre built in 1982 by the Catholic Church.
At high tide, sea water hits the fence walls of the church.
A kilometer from the Cathedral is the residence of Joana Adiku, 60, who has lived in the area all her life.
“For those of us here, we sit on tenterhooks, especially from July onwards. Our situation is like being notified of a pending war but all border exits are closed,” she says in a still voice.
Growing up, she says going to the seashore was quite a distance, but now it is just three feet away.
Mr Joel Degue, 58, a development worker, and an indigene of the area, says the beautiful sandbar between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lagoon Complex is sinking.
Two thirds of Keta have been taken by the sea. It used to be the capital of Volta Region but lost that status in 1986 due to land loss.
“In the 1980’s, Keta used to be one of the most thriving business towns where traders from Togo, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Benin, Niger visited. The sea invasion, which damaged market centres robbed the area of such a mega business status leading to the exile of most talented and exuberant people,” he says.
Mr Deng recalls that although the area had a history of coastal erosion, the rate of intrusion has been rapid in the last four decades.
“I grew up in Keta, specifically Dzelukope and Abutsiakope. I remember crossing a very wide sandy beach before reaching another one, especially around Ghanakpedzi and Lokpodzi beach towards Zomayi beach, Tettekope beach,” he recounts.
“Vividly, I remember seeing a very wide beach around Tegbi-Kpota, Woe Lighthouse, Whuti, Srogbe, Adakordzi, Akplorwotokor as recently as the 1990s. Today, greater portions of those beaches are gone into sea and the communities are precariously exposed.”
He says erosion along the coastland, especially between the Volta Estuary and Aflao is the greatest environmental threat in Ghana besides illegal mining popularly known as “galamsey”.
Causes Multiple factors contribute to the vulnerability of Keta, particularly extraction of sand at the beach, geographical location, depletion of vegetative cover and rising sea level caused by climate change, says Dr Andrews Agyekumhene, Lecturer at the Department of Marine And Fisheries Sciences University of Ghana.
In Ghana, the waves normally move from west to east and Keta, which already is below sea level, is hit by high waves making that section vulnerable.
He explains that naturally, the sea tides flow to the shore with a quantity of sand and takes a quantity back when retreating.
“Once the sand deposit is extracted by the people, the tide has no choice than to take the sand available back, and that causes the shore to erode.”
Dr Agyekumhene says the world is experiencing increase temperature as observed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a UN scientific body that provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
This is causing the sea to warm, while the ice cape (glacier) is also melting due to the warming.
The results are an increase in volumes of sea water.
He tells the GNA that Keta may be far from the glacier, but the seas are connected, so happenings elsewhere impact on all.
The quest for a lasting solution
Successive governments have attempted solutions by building defense walls at some sections but the threats still linger.
Mr Emmanuel Gamegah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Keta, expresses optimism that the development of the commercial port will help mitigate the effects of the waves.
“From where I sit, I have been part of the process leading to the completion of the port. When that happens, this tidal wave problem will be solved. I am aware that the project will reclaim one kilometer of the land taken by the sea,” he says.
Aside from that, Keta will be benefiting from the second phase of the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2 (WACA ResIP 2).
The World Bank in 2022 announced the approval of a $150 million in finance for Ghana to improve ecosystem health and protect communities from erosion, which includes the Volta Delta and Keta Lagoon.
This will be done through the protection and restoration of mangrove forests; nourishment of sandy barriers; dune revegetation; and building of protective infrastructure such as groynes.
For Dr Agyekumhene, building of infrastructure like sea defense helps but the best approach is to use nature-based solutions- planting more mangroves, coconuts and other vegetative plants to solve coastal erosion.
“The structures will fall apart with time like in the case of Ada. The defense wall often shifts the problem from one location to the other…”
The mangrove expert explains that best practice has demonstrated that vegetation holds the soil together preventing sea water from easily taking the soil.
With nature-based solutions, Keta’s frontline communities, including Atiteti, Dzita, and others on the coast of Ghana and those around the world threatened by coastal erosion will be protected.
Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Keta Municipality Emmanuel Gemegah has urged residents of the municipality to know the areas they are in and adjust accordingly.
According to him, the flooring of many buildings in the municipality lay very low which can easily be covered with water anytime it rains and floods.
“We would have learnt from that but you saw that when we go to certain places the flooring of some buildings are just very low. People must learn from that to know who we are, where we are and adjust,” he said.
“We must avoid human behaviours that are contributing factors, like building on the water ways and avoid low flooring of our buildings to prevent perennial flooding that the municipality experiences, which is affecting lives, properties and livelihood.”
He continued that: “I think Keta by and large is below sea level and this is not happening just today. It has been with us since.”
According to the MCE, he is a victim of the flood and has thus experienced what other residents of the area are going through.
“Part of the residency is flooded too. Over here when there is power outage, I experience it too. I feel what the people feel and I know what they are going through now,” he said.
Mr Gemegah was speaking to Class 91.3 FM’s Volta Regional Correspondent Kingsley Attitsogbui after touring flood-affected areas in the Keta municipality on Thursday, 15th June, 2023, together with the Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Eric Nana Prempeh-Agyemang.
The purpose of the tour was to conduct an assessment of the affected areas and victims in order to distribute some relief items to cushion them.
It was led by the Volta Regional Director of NADMO, Ivy Amewugah.
A 33KV feeder from Aflao to Keta has been built by theElectricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to improve power delivery in the Volta Region’s southwest.
The power distribution company stringed new lines, erected poles, upgraded sections of the old lines, and installed transformers.
The acting Volta Regional General Manager, Ing. Michael Babin, said his outfit aims at promoting the growth of the local economy by ensuring stable power supply to Keta, Kedzi, Adafienu, Adina, Agavedzi, Blekusu, Vodja and surrounding communities.
“The aim to provide quality, reliable and safe electricity services to support the socio- economic growth and development of Ghana informed management’s decision to complete this project to provide convenience for our customers”, he said in an interview with myjoyoline.com.
Dr. Senanu Djokoto, a parliamentary aspirant in the upcoming Keta NDC primary, has petitioned the appeals committee concerning the clearance of Dr. Emmanuel Jones Mensah, another aspirant, to contest.
Dr. Djokoto said he considered it an error by the vetting committee that Dr. Jones Mensah had met the mandatory requirements of Regulation 2.1(III) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Guidelines for clearing parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general election.
The guidelines provide that a person desirous of contesting the position of parliamentary candidate “shall be an active member of the party in the constituency for not less than four years… pending the date of filing their nominations.”
Dr. Djokoto, in his petition sighted by the Ghana News Agency, said he found the committee’s decision to accept a letter from Dr. Mensah distancing himself from fraudulent registration conduct at Ashiaman untenable.
“I also find the vetting committee’s investigation into the alleged Ashaiman membership of the aspirant inconclusive, as no effort was made by the committee to authenticate the said alleged membership,” he said.
Dr. Djokoto said he had dutifully served the NDC in the Keta Constituency and was aware that most members and executives valued truth, honesty, and integrity, hence the need for a fair and just resolution of the matter.
Any decision on Dr. Jones Mensah’s legibility or otherwise “may adversely affect me as a candidate in the election,” he said.
“Under the circumstances, I believe that it will be prudent for the appeals committee to lay this matter to rest to forestall any legal tussle that can arise from same.”
After experiencing problems with potable water for more than 20 years, the people of Anyako can nowhave free access to water.
Following the commissioning of a water project at Kpota in Anyako by Dr. Emmanuel Kojo Jones-Mensah.
Chiefs and Anyako residents joined him at the Anlo Awomefia SHS.
This project was started by Dr. Jones-Mensah and his KJM Foundation five months ago after he was contacted by some elders and natives and swiftly responded by taking the first step.
A second phase of the water project will continue, according to Dr. Jones-Mensah, with the hiring of technical officers to lay pipes from Heluvi to the main township of Anyako.
Additionally, Dr. Jones-Mensah announced two scholarship openings up to university level each year for gifted but needy Anlo Awomefia SHS students.
Torgbui Kposegi IV and Torgbui Agbetsi Zewu IV, all of Anyako also graced the occasion.
Torgbui Kposegi IV of Anyako Woeto thanked Dr. Jones-Mensah for his humanitarian gesture and prayed for God’s guidance on him and his companies. “I have been on this throne for 20years and now we have potable drinking water through the benevolence of Efo Kojo Jones-Mensah. We are touched by his kind and selfless gesture. We are looking forward to a long lasting relationship between Anyako community and Dr. Jones-Mensah,” Torgbui Kposegi IV said.
He added, “I have tasted the water. It is sweet and on point. God bless Dr. Jones-Mensah.” Torgbui Kposegi IV observed he never knew potable water could be discovered in Anyako due to the extreme salinity of the water table of the community.
Dr. Jones-Mensah thanked everybody for gracing the occasion and announced that no community in Keta Constituency will be left behind in the quest to provide potable water as well as address pressing needs towards livelihoods, empowerment and development.
Dr. Jones-Mensah established KJM Foundation with the sole objective of impacting lives and serving humanity.
The Foundation provides potable water to deprived communities in Ghana, scholarships to brilliant but needy students and women/youth empowerment.
A staunch member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, who is currently the Acting Volta Regional Director of Health Services, has joined the party’s parliamentary race.
He received the endorsement of some National Democratic Congress (NDC) members in the Keta Constituency, to contest the party’s parliamentary primary, slated for May 2023.
The members, who on Wednesday picked and paid for Dr Djokoto’s nomination forms at the NDC Constituency Office at Keta, said they made the move because they believed in the candidate’s capacity to restore Keta to its glorious days, not only as an economic hub but also as a place of great political history.
Dr Djokoto, a former aide to late President Jerry John Rawlings, who contested the primary in 2019 but lost narrowly to the incumbent, Dr Dzulorli Gakpey, reacting to the development, said he was humbled by the move from the NDC members.
He expressed appreciation to the party faithful for believing in him to have paid for his nomination forms to enable him to contest the primary, and eventually win the parliamentary slot in the 2024 general election.
“I do not take it lightly that you are using your hard-earned income to pay for my nomination forms – as you have indicated to me it is due to your belief in my capacity to restore our beloved constituency to its past glory”.
“Let me assure you all that I will not let you down,” Dr Djokoto said.
The candidate, a two-time chairman of the Keta Constituency, called on all aspirants and party members in the area to work hard towards a peaceful, truthful and issues-based electioneering.
Mr. Seth Kedey, the Deputy Volta Regional Chief fisherman has hinted at a rise in the price of fish this festive season (yuletide) occasioned by the scarcity of premix fuel.
According to him, the public would have to pay more for fish due to the unavailability of premix fuel at the various landing beaches along the country’s Coast.
Mr. Kedey, who doubles as the National Public Relations Officer for the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) gave the hint in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of this year’s farmer’s day celebrations in Keta in the Ketu Municipality of the Volta region.
“It’s been more than four months without premix fuel, the premix is not there – we are buying from the regular pumps, which is very expensive- you have to buy super and mix it with diesel to get premix to embark on your fishing expedition,” he said.
“We all know what petroleum price hikes come along with- prices of everything shoot up. In the recent past, you could buy a pan of fish for between GHC 400-500, but now that same pan of fish sells at GHC 1000- whatever price we buy fuel to embark on an expedition, would have to be transferred to the customer.”
Mr. Kedey added that the fisher folk is now helpless considering the current state of affairs with most of them now out of business adding that the few canoe owners who are able to afford the expensive fuel, incur huge debts here and there and that’s a source of worry.
He appealed to the government to do something about the premix shortage to keep the fisher folk in business to support their livelihoods and their dependents.
Fishermen in all four fishing regions in the country have in recent times raised concerns about the shortage of premix fuel at the landing beaches, a situation they said was taking a toll on their operations.
They have had to resort to buying of the fuel meant for vehicles at cut-throat prices to power their outboard motors to embark on fishing expeditions with nothing done by the authorities to resolve the situation, they said.
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has alleged that the government is paying remunerations to some workers who are supposed to be working at a port in Keta.
In a tweet shared on Monday, November 21, 2022, Dafeamekpor questioned who these salaries were going to because there is no port in Keta, a coastal town in the Volta Region.
The MP, who made these remarks while reacting to a purported document indicating the approval of annual bonuses for workers of ports, including the port at Keta, bemoaned the fact that the workers were even going to be paid bonuses.
“How can we be paying monthly salaries, allowances and End of Year bonuses to workers of a nonexistent Port at Keta?
“Again, per para 5, what’s the meaning of para 5? “A Retired Staff who ‘worked’ for more than 6 months or more during the year will be entitled to full bonus..”?” parts of the MP’s tweet read.
The MP shared a document from the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority addressed to the directors of the ports at Tema, Takoradi, and Keta, confirming the approval of the payment of bonuses to workers at these ports.
The government started processes to construct the third commercial airport in Ghana at Keta in 2019.
It has so far signed an executive instrument that demarcates the area for the port, advertised for tenders for feasibility studies, and appointed a director for the proposed port.
As of now, the only structure at the demarcated area for the Keta port is a sign post, but the Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has stated that the government remains committed to the construction of the proposed Keta port.
At the turn of the 20th century, Keta was the 3rd largest and most important town in Gold Coast after Accra and Sekondi-Takoradi.
Keta was the administrative head of the Eastern Province of the Gold Coast colony, a centre of excellence, an international commercial hub, a port city, an educational centre of repute, and major centre for the missionary churches.
It is of note that the first diocese of the Catholic Church in the Gold Coast was in Keta. Indeed, Keta was a town in its own class, a great pride of Anlo land.
Geographically, Keta is a town nestled between the sea (the Atlantic Ocean) and the lagoon (the Keta Lagoon Complex). It was/is a narrow steip/sanbar between the lagoon and the sea. But the beautiful town has a geographic and well as geomorphological disadvantage: it has a sandy coast and lies below see level along most portions of its coast, between 1-3 metres below sea level. This is Keta’s weak point that did not help her much as the decades went by.
Surfacecially, Keta is often used to cover all the other settlements which border it with their own individual names, such as Vodza-Adzido, Kedzi, Abutsiakope, Dzelukope, etc. And so shall it be construed in this write up.
From around 1907, the first noticeable signs of sea erosion started showing. By 1924, it accentuated. From 1932 to the 1978, it became clear that Keta may not survive into the 21st century. The 1960s witnessed the construction of the first sea defence system in Keta under the CPP regime.
In early 1980s the sea unleashed its renewed onslaught on Keta. It was now very apparent that if nothing was done, then, the whole town of Keta would be obliterated from the map of Ghana. There was, therefore, the need to call on central government again to do something to save Keta.
The response was heeded to. Government commissioned an Italian firm to design a comprehensive engineering and economic plan to save Keta’s remaining land, reclaim additional land and regenerate its lost economic vibrancy. In June 1987, Cooperativa Muratori and Cementisti, the Italian firm which undertook the study and design works, submitted its report to central government. The report was comprehensive. It had an infrastructural component and a socio-economic component. It was an integrated project, according to the report.
But hope came alive, when we entered into the democratic dispensation. In 1996 Parliament approved a facility for the project. So, the United States’ Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) approved an $84 million long-term loan to enable Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, located in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA and their partners, Bird Associates and their local representatives Messrs Pentrexx Limited to build a sea wall and other infrastructure to protect the Keta Beach and Lagoon from erosion and also resuscitate the almost dead socio-economic life of the area.
The project, which was announced in a February 16, 1999 news release, would have far reaching positive impacts on agriculture, fisheries, commerce, coastal infrastructure and living conditions of the inhabitants of Keta and its surrounding areas. The area under consideration receive the most devastating sea erosional attacks in the history of the country and regular flooding of farms from the lagoon and the Volta River.
This therefore, necessitated the most urgent political action to save the remaining portion of Keta, once a thriving and vibrant commercial hub in colonial Gold Coast and securing the socio-economic livelihoods of the whole Keta Lagoon Basin. The Keta Basin Integrated Development Project was thus born.
Keta Sea Defence Project (KSDP), as designed, was supposed to be a part of the Keta Basin Integrated Developmemt Project (KBIDP), a physical, infrastructural, social and economic rehabilitation or regeneration project.The Project as finally executed, was/is therefore, a good physical infrastructural project BUT a bad socio-economic investment, as the latter aspects were left out. My reasons for saying so are not far-fetched:
One, the original project involved sea defence groynes, flood control, access road, land reclamation for housing and agricultural development, aquaculture industry, fishing harbour, chemical industry and tourism facilities. Two, other aspect that was supposed to be the phase 2 of the project was the supposed beach nourishment between Keta and Abutiakope area, and the reclamation of about 400 hectares of land on the lagoon side from around Keta Anlo State School area to Vui Torkor Area was not done too.
The KSDP which was supposed to be the panacea to Keta’s socio-economic problems brought on her by the constant sea erosion for over 90 years (from 1907 till 1999) failed to achieve the other purposes. If the KBIDP were executed as originally designed, it would have made Keta great again: industrial salt mining, chemical industries, aquaculture, agriculture development, tourism, water transport, fishing harbour, housing, etc. KSDP is therefore a good project but a bad investment, an investment without much socio-economic returns.
This has made Keta to remain poor 18 years after its completion. The people of Keta District which included current Anloga District then and beyond got the KSDP as against KBIDP. This single political mistake or negligence has cost the people of Keta an economic misfortune of a lifetime. The big question is: Na Who Cause Am?
In the end, the $84 million sunk into the KSDP between 1999 and 2004 served only to protect the remaining portion of an eroded town but miserably failed to resuscitate, regenerate and rehabilitate the socio-economic life of once a thriving and economically vibrant district.
Indeed, after the completion of the project, what was given to Keta District was an 8.3 km of causeway between Havedzi and Keta, a flood control bridge at Kedzi, six groynes/armor block walls between Hlorvi and Keta, a coastal revetment around the Fort Prinzenstein area, about 108 hactares of reclaimed land between Kedzi and Keta, a construction site building at Havedzi, a staff quarters at Weta, an 8.3-km long, eight-metre wide and sixteen-metre deep dredged trench/canal inside the lagoon.
Folks, eighteen good years after the completion of the project, Keta is yet to reap the socio-economic benefits of a capital project. The big and hard questions we must always ask are: why were the phase 2 and the socio-economic component of KBIDP not done as part of the project? Were political, local and community leaders aware of this? Were Keta denizens aware? Who is to answer? Who is to be blamed? Hard questions indeed.
It is not too late to remedy the negligence. Urgent steps must be taken Keta, in association with the planned Keta Port or Harbour, to incorporate those aspects of the KBIDP which have been shelved. If this is not done, the port when constructed will not benefit very much the mass of the people in the Keta Basin. The port was envisaged as only a part of the KBIDP.
Source: Ghanaweb
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Some residents of Keta and Agavedzi in the Volta region have been displaced by tidal waves yet again.
The latest incident on Sunday, April 3, has left many homeless.
Some moved to higher grounds to seek shelter, while others had no choice but to sleep on mattresses along major roads.
At Keta, the famous Emancipation Beach Resort has been badly affected by the high waves, destroying many properties owned by the facility owner.
Residents who spoke to JoyNews lamented the continuous ravaging impact of the sea, adding that the recent waves may cut off streets and make it difficult for people to use the roads.
“We need help. The main street leading into the township has also been submerged, and the school under the waters and means of livelihood are being destroyed.
“We are constantly living in fear due to the continuous ravaging of the sea, and it appears to us that if nothing is done soon and urgently, the whole area will be cut off. Therefore we are appealing to government to look for funding and start a sea defence wall, which seems to be the only solution to our problem,†a resident lamented.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ketu South, Maxwell Lugudor, says government is committed to making sure their problems are resolved immediately.
He added that he has secured funding to build infrastructures for victims who lost their houses due to the incident.
“I was in the community just yesterday with the engineers to commence work on the land only to hear this afternoon of another devastation by the sea,†Mr Lugudor recounted.
Parts of the Greater Accra Region, specifically the Ada, was also hit by the waves.
At least 3,000 people in Keta municipality have been rendered homeless after tidal waves swept through their homes in November 2021.
Communities such as Abutiakope, Kedzikope and Keta Central were primarily affected as affected homeless residents are left with nothing to salvage.
Affected residents, mainly children and women, had their residential abodes destroyed by the tidal waves.
Government has planned to dredge the Keta Lagoon Complex to prevent annual floods to protect lives and properties in adjourning communities.
The government has identified that the persistent inflow of sediments and other debris from River Aka and Tordzi, and the Belikpa stream into the Keta lagoon are the major causes of the flood.
The Minister who disclosed this, on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, 29th July, 2021 in responding to a Parliamentary question from MP for Keta Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey said, “these major transfer and deposition of sediments into the lagoon, are reducing its capacity to hold storm water and consequently causing major flooding of communities in the environs of the lagoonâ€.
This, he acknowledged “leads to unfortunate loss of lives, livelihoods and properties.
Notably, this phenomenon impacts negatively on the economic and social lives of the peopleâ€.
The Works and Housing Minister, Asenso Boakye said his Ministry is “conscious of the urgent need for mitigation works to tackle this challengeâ€.
According to him the dredging of the Keta lagoon was proposed as an important intervention that would make a significant difference to the lives of the people in the community.
The Ministry will, therefore, “commence engagement with relevant stakeholders and make the case for funding to the Ministry of Finance to undertake dredging and other activities that will enhance the safety and protection of the communities in the environs of the Keta Lagoonâ€, he noted.
He assured the MP that his Ministry will provide updates on the progress they make in this effort.
The Background
The Keta Lagoon is part of the Volta estuary comprising a Complex array of lagoons and several islands. The Keta Lagoon complex is a designated Ramsar site and it is about one hundred and thirty kilometres (130km) in length.
The lagoon is surrounded by many settlements and towns, which include Anloga, Woe, Keta and Kedzi to the south; Anyako and Anlo Afiadenyigba to the north; Kedzi, Alakple and Tregui to the west; and Denu and Adina to the east. The lagoon and its environs host major settlements, fishing activities, salt production and farming.
More than 300 residents of Anlo Afiadenyigba township in the Keta Municipality have besieged the Afiadenyigba Police Station demanding the sacking of officers from the town.
The attack on the police station happened hours after the MP-Elect of the Keta Municipal Assembly, Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpe, was attacked in his house which is only a two-minute walk from the Police station.
Most of the residents who were clad in red outfits accused the police of doing nothing to rescue the MP-elect at the time of the attack at 2 am.
According to the residents and a relative to the MP-elect, when the MP-elect came to the station to seek for the intervention from the officers on duty, he was told that they [officers] have no gun to withstand the gunmen.
The residents also accused one particular officer who is popularly called Eric for knowing something about the attack on the MP-elect.
A resident, Rita Atsufui alleged to GhanaWeb that “Eric is known for associating himself with criminals in the Municipal and that he does not take cases brought against his criminal friends serious.
“…he should go, we don’t want him here anymore. Eric is a thief, he’s a criminal….who doesn’t know him? He sleeps with small small girls here…,” she alleged in the interview with GhanaWeb.
Meanwhile, the officers who were on duty before the MP-elect came to them for help have been driven out of the town by colleagues officers from a nearby station after several hours of a standoff with resilient residents.
Water is life and plays a significant role in human life. It quenches thirst, flushes out waste from the body, regulates body temperature and helps the body to function properly.
Apart from other uses of water by humans, including food preparation, bathing, and construction works, plants and animals cannot survive without water.
Due to the significance of the role water plays, especially with regard to the human body, it is important that water which is consumed is potable.
Indeed, the Sustainable Development Goal 6 targets access to water and sanitation for all by 2030 and it is incumbent on every government to implement projects in the water and sanitation area.
It is for this reason that The Ghanaian Times finds it satisfying that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for work on the Keta Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project in the Volta Region to begin.
The €85-million project in the South Tongu District, scheduled to be completed within two years, would involve the rehabilitation of the existing Keta Water Treatment Plant to restore it to its installed capacity of 7,200m3/day and the construction of a new water treatment facility, with a capacity of 35,000m3/day.
When completed, the project would supply potable water to over 422,160 people in communities including Kpodze, Kpotame, Vume, Tefle, Sokpoe, Dabala Junction, Tregui, Badadzi, Havedzi, Adzato, Suipe, Adutor, Horvi-Amedzi, Devegodo, Horvi-Kokoroko, Salo, Galo, Agortoe, Kpenu, Lolito, Floto, Lotame, and New Town.
At the sod cutting ceremony, President Akufo-Addo noted that the existing water supply system in the area was unable to meet the increasing demand for water due to rapid population growth.
Additionally, he said, it was difficult to use groundwater as an alternative source of potable water because the groundwater in those parts of the region was mostly saline.
Although the project is long overdue, it is commendable that it has started to finally bring relief to the thousands of residents in the area who have, for many years, suffered to get access to potable water.
We, however, hope the Lesico Company Limited, the infrastructure firm executing the project, would complete it as scheduled while the government would provide the needed support to achieve its aim of giving the people potable water, which is a factor in ensuring good health.
Our hope for the timely execution of the water project is on the basis that there are a number of projects which have been heralded by funfair but have stalled for several reasons and we wish this does not happen to the Keta project.
The completion of the project would not only bring relief to the residents of the afore-mentioned areas but also help the country draw closer to achieving the SDG on water and sanitation.
It would also help safeguard the health of the people as diseases associated with contaminated water would reduce.
A suspected Covid-19 patient in Keta in the Volta Region, has tested negative to the relief of residents in Keta and Anloga districts.
Municipal Chief Executive for Keta , Godwin Edudzi Effah, confirmed the news to JoyNews in an interview.
Residents had been sitting on tenterhooks as the sample taken from a cook on a Korean vessel was sent to the laboratory.
At least, five fishermen who are believed to have come into contact with him, have been quarantined.
The Keta Municipal Health Taskforce as part of its routine surveillance, identified the cook who had been ill and brought to Abutiakope by five local fishermen.
The task force then prompted the Municipal Rapid Response Team for further investigations.
The five contacts who were later identified by the task force, were quarantined and had their conditions monitored whilst awaiting laboratory results from Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).
Checks revealed the man, a resident of Tema, has been on the sea for 37 days where he had been working as a cook for a Korean fishing vessel owned by Panophin Company based in Tema community Two GBC.
Meanwhile, Mr Effah also announced 20 Personal Protective Equipment have been handed over to the Keta District Hospital as the assembly awaits similar support from central government and other benevolent organisations.
He also announced movies on Cvid-19 would be screened in the area to help create public awareness, especially, among market women and traders to promote strict adherence to social distancing.
Mr. Effah also announced the Covid-19 screening exercise for residents at some designated checkpoints to check the spread of the virus.
An abandoned bridge, located at Anlo Afiadenyigba on Afiadenyigba-Havedzi road, in the Keta Municipality has killed a little girl and left three other persons badly injured.
The girl, Ablor Shikakpe, believed to be between 6-7 years met her untimely death Saturday night, February 22, 2020 after the motorbike carrying her crushed into the bridge.
At about 10pm, the deceased together with her father, Wordi Shikakpe, the uncle, Salifu Shikakpe and the motor rider, Korshie Abogo crushed when car headlights destructed them.
The Uncle, Salifu Shikakpe in an interview with gbcghanaonline said they were coming from Agorta, near Kedzi all in the Keta Municipal Assembly when the incident occurred.
Others are badly injured but are responding to self-medication treatment at home after visiting Abor Hospital on the first day of the accident.
The Assemblyman for Anlo Afiadenyigba, Dziehe Ablame who sympathised with the family pleaded with government through local authorities to call on the contractor to resume work on the bridge to avert future calamities.
A resident, Gilbert Korbla Kekelie, disclosed that the girl died before reaching the hospital.
“I felt very bad on that Saturday.â€
“We heard the news and rushed there but unfortunately the girl died, before reaching the hospital.â€
According to Kekelie: “that bridge has been left for years now and it has become a deathtrap to us— the community people.â€
Meanwhile, the burial ceremony for the deceased has been performed in accordance with Anlo Traditional on Monday, March 2, 2020, at Dogbeorpe near Anlo Afiadenyigba.
