President John Dramani Mahama has officially broken ground for Phase II of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project, reviving hopes for thousands of residents along Ghana’s Volta coast whose homes and livelihoods have been battered by years of tidal wave destruction.
The sod-cutting ceremony, held on Saturday, July 19 at Blekusu, marked the beginning of an 8-kilometre sea defence expansion, nearly a decade after Phase I delivered 4.6 kilometres of protection.
“This occasion is not just symbolic. It is a clear demonstration of what leadership can achieve when it listens, when it cares, and when it takes action,” the President declared.
The project, to be executed by Amandi Holdings Ltd. between 2025 and 2029, includes the construction of 37 groynes, reinforced embankments, dune restoration, and integrated community infrastructure.
These include a fish market, cold storage, processing facilities, waste collection systems, and a lorry terminal.
President Mahama said the initiative goes beyond physical protection, calling it “a comprehensive resilience initiative that combines environmental protection with socio-economic development.”
He urged young people to support the project by respecting timelines, avoiding illegal sand mining, and promoting environmental awareness.
In a further boost for the region, the President announced that the government has secured a grant from China to construct the Aflao New Market, also known as Aflao Asigame.
He concluded his address with a bold reassurance to affected communities: “The sea has taken so much from this community: land, property, livelihoods, and our peace of mind. But today, I say no more. We are here to reclaim what has been lost and to build stronger.”
