Residents of Agavedzi and surrounding coastal communities have heaped praises on President John Dramani Mahama following the official groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project.
The much-anticipated project is aimed at protecting lives, livelihoods, and properties along Ghana’s vulnerable eastern coastline.
The event, which took place on 19th of July, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the fight against the persistent tidal erosion that has plagued coastal towns in the Ketu South Municipality for years. The second phase of the sea defence initiative is expected to extend protection to additional communities including Agavedzi, Salakope, and Amutinu.
During the ceremony, traditional leaders, youth groups, and community members expressed their appreciation for Mr. Mahama’s commitment to coastal protection. Many recalled the impact of the first phase of the project, completed under his administration in 2016, which brought much-needed relief to residents of Blekusu and parts of Anloga.
“We are grateful to President Mahama for remembering us,” said Torgbui Adzomani IV, a local chief from Agavedzi. “This project is not just about stones and concrete—it is about saving our homes and securing our future.”
The second phase of the sea defence project is being executed by the Ministry of Works and Housing, with support from the Hydrological Services Department. It is expected to cover an additional 8 kilometers of shoreline, reinforcing earlier installations and providing more resilient infrastructure against rising sea levels and strong tidal waves.
President Mahama, addressing the gathering, reaffirmed his dedication to inclusive development and protection for all Ghanaians, regardless of location. He urged the government to prioritize vulnerable communities and continue projects that directly impact lives.
Residents expressed optimism that the new phase would provide long-term security and help restore economic activity in the affected coastal towns, particularly fishing and tourism, which have been severely disrupted by coastal erosion.
In 2015, the Government of H.E. John Dramani Mahama commenced construction of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project, Phase I. This comprised a 4.3 km coastal stretch involving the construction of groynes to safeguard coastal communities of Azizadzi, Horvi, and Blekusu from tidal waves and coastal erosion.
Over the years, following the completion of Phase I, other coastal communities have been exposed to the devastation of tidal waves, exacerbated by rising sea levels due to climate change and variability.
This has necessitated the urgent need for the commencement of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project Phase II. The project contractor is Messrs Amandi Holdings Limited, and the project is designed to stabilise and safeguard the coastal communities of Blekusu, Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutinu, and Adina in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region.
The scope of work under the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project (Phase II) entails the construction of 37 armour rock groynes at approximately 220-meter intervals with land reclamation to protect eight (8) kilometers of the coastline.
The project is expected to be completed in forty-eight (48) months.
The commencement of the second phase of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project is widely seen as a timely intervention and a testament to the long-term vision initiated during Mahama’s tenure.
Source: Odehyeba Owusu Job
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