$150m World Bank Sea Defence project will provide relief: President Mahama assures Anlo tidal wave victims - Inspects devastated Fuveme communities, promises immediate dredging of estuary

President John Dramani Mahama has assured residents of Fuveme in the Anlo District and other coastal communities that the long-awaited $150 million World Bank-funded West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) project will commence soon, following the completion of feasibility studies and progress at the design stage.

Addressing community members at Fuveme in the Anlo District yesterday during an inspection tour of areas ravaged by recent tidal waves, the President acknowledged the devastation when the sea broke into communities, displacing residents and destroying livelihoods.

"This entire area is part of a project area called WACA, a World Bank project," President Mahama said, adding that, "I am happy to announce that the feasibility study is finished.

They are at the design stage. After the design stage, they will do the procurement – that is the actual construction of the WACA project."

The President revealed that the project, which stalled in 2024 largely due to the general election, had been revived under his administration.

He gave the assurance that work would begin on the coastal areas "very soon."

President Mahama was accompanied by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah; the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, and other government officials. 

Historic context

President Mahama traced the history of sea defence interventions in the region, noting that during his previous administration, some Sea Defence was executed.

He recalled that the President Rawlings government had undertaken the Keta Sea Defence, while Blekusu Phase one was also initiated earlier, with Blekusu Phase two currently ongoing.

"The rest of the coast is supposed to be covered by the World Bank $150 million WACA project, and that includes this area all the way to Ketu South and parts of Anloga," he explained.

Project components

The President explained that the sea defence project would include the construction of groynes which would be built into the sea to break strong currents and waves, allowing them to return to the coast gently.

Additionally, coconut trees would be planted on beaches to stabilise the soil, while mangroves would be planted in the estuary to defend the land against sea encroachment.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, President Mahama announced immediate interim measures to alleviate pressure on the affected communities.

"Normally, when the estuary is silted, it looks for ways to join the sea in other places.

That is exactly what is happening here," he explained. 

"We will contact the Volta River Authority (VRA) to see if they can do some dredging in the main estuary so that it eases the pressure on this side,” he said.

President Mahama stated that dredging would allow more water to flow out into the sea to reduce the immediate impact, while the long-term solution materialised.

Funds protected

The President also allayed fears about the security of the project funds, stating that despite efforts to repurpose some World Bank projects for other national priorities, the $150 million allocated for WACA had been protected.

"As the minister said, we protected the $150 million that is meant for the WACA project.

So your money is safe and the project is going to go on," he affirmed.

President Mahama appealed to the affected communities for patience and cooperation as processes continued to bring the project to fruition.

"Let me thank you very much for your patience and tolerance, and we look forward to your cooperation," he said.