More than 50 communities in Ghana’s Volta Region could be submerged by June or July if urgent measures are not implemented to address escalating coastal erosion and flooding, Member of Parliament for Anlo, Richard Kwame Sefe, has cautioned.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Sefe described the situation as a protracted environmental crisis that has long been known to authorities but remains inadequately addressed. He warned that failure to act within the coming months would result in widespread inundation of vulnerable communities.
Among the most at-risk settlements, he identified Hatorgodo, Anyarko, Seva, Ablove, and Anlo-Afiadeyigba, all of which face significant threat from advancing tidal waters and inland flooding.
Mr. Sefe attributed the worsening conditions partly to the cessation of routine dredging at the estuary by the Volta River Authority (VRA). He explained that until approximately 13 to 14 years ago, annual dredging facilitated the natural outflow of water from the Volta River into the sea during peak periods. Its discontinuation, however, has led to the redirection of excess المياه inland, intensifying flood risks for surrounding communities.
He further noted that the situation exerts additional pressure on the Keta Lagoon system, which now functions as a de facto reservoir for overflow, exacerbating the vulnerability of nearby settlements.
The MP emphasised that the impact extends beyond Anlo District, affecting at least six districts: Anlo, Keta, South Tongu, Ketu South, Akatsi South, and Ketu North. He called for immediate and coordinated intervention to avert further displacement and damage as the rainy season approaches.
