Coastal erosion continues to devastate Ghana’s southeastern shoreline, with entire communities being swallowed by the rising sea.
Once-thriving settlements such as Fuveme and Kporkporgbor have already disappeared beneath the waves, leaving behind only memories of families, farmers, and fisherfolk who once called these towns home. Now, Agorkedzi—the relocation area designated for those displaced from these lost communities—is facing the same tragic fate, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
The relentless encroachment of the sea in the Volta Region has forced many communities to abandon their ancestral lands. As residents move inland, they are confronted with new challenges in their resettlement areas. Climate change has exacerbated the crisis, accelerating coastal erosion and leaving many vulnerable to nature’s wrath.
For the people of Agorkedzi, the fight for survival is a daily struggle. Having been relocated from Fuveme and Kporkporgbor in a desperate bid to escape the advancing sea, many now watch helplessly as their new home succumbs to the same fate. “We were forced to leave our homes and start over here, but now, the sea is chasing us again. Where do we go next? Who will save us?” lamented Torgbui Kpetsi, a displaced resident.
This crisis is not just an environmental issue; it is a humanitarian disaster. Local women, who once managed small businesses and processed fish in their communities, are now witnessing the collapse of their livelihoods. “Our homes are sinking, our businesses are collapsing, and we have nowhere else to go,” said Mawutor, another Agorkedzi resident.
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The situation is further compounded by the threat to vital infrastructure. The Keta-Denu Littoral road, a key transport route connecting coastal towns, is at risk of being lost to the sea.
Experts warn that if the road is washed away, it will cripple the regional economy, affect emergency response, and isolate communities, exacerbating the social and economic impact of this crisis.
Civil society groups have intensified their calls for immediate action, demanding an emergency meeting with key government agencies. They stress that while discussions have been held at the Ministry of Environment, tangible, on-the-ground responses are urgently needed.
The situation in Southern Volta is critical and demands decisive action. With Fuveme and Kporkporgbor already lost and Agorkedzi on the brink of disappearing, time is running out.
The government is being urged to declare a state of emergency in the affected coastal areas, allocate resources for the immediate evacuation and permanent resettlement of displaced families, implement robust coastal defence measures, and expedite actions to protect essential infrastructure like the Keta-Denu Littoral road.
Without swift and effective intervention, Ghana risks witnessing the permanent erasure of more coastal communities, deepening the humanitarian crisis and causing long-term economic losses for the entire region.
As the sea continues its relentless assault, the people of Southern Volta are united in their demand for the decisive leadership needed to save their homes and secure their future.
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Source: myjoyonline.com