Residents of Dansoman Beach Road Urge Government to Complete Sea Defence Project

Dansoman Beach Road Residents Urge Government to Complete Sea Defence Project

Residents of Dansoman Beach Road in the Ablekuma West Municipality of Accra are calling on the government to complete the sea defence in their area. The coastline has been experiencing severe erosion and destructive tidal waves, leading to property loss. Many homeowners have seen their houses crumble under the force of the sea, leaving them devastated.

According to residents, the worsening erosion is a direct consequence of the partial completion of a sea defence project in the neighboring Glefe community, which was undertaken before the end of 2016. They claim that the unfinished project redirected the waves towards their area, intensifying the damage.

One of the affected residents, Hasiaye Neequaye, recounted her painful experience. “When there was no sea defence at Glefe, the sea wasn’t this aggressive here. But after the defence was built there, the waves started hitting our area harder. I had just completed my house on my father’s land when the erosion swept it away. It’s heartbreaking,” she lamented.

The damage goes beyond demolished buildings. High winds and salty air have caused the corrosion of household items, adding to the burden on affected families. Another resident, Daniel Lamptey, pointed to an area that once had 12 buildings but has now been entirely consumed by the sea.

Mr. Lamptey explained that community members had spent millions of cedis constructing concrete barriers in an attempt to protect their homes, but their efforts had been in vain. “After investing so much in concrete barriers, we still couldn’t stop the sea. It broke through our buildings and washed away everything,” he said. In desperation, some residents have resorted to dumping refuse along the shoreline to create a temporary buffer against the encroaching waves. “We are not doing this out of negligence but as a desperate measure to protect our homes. Once the government completes the sea defence project, we will stop dumping,” he assured.

The residents are urgently calling on the government to resume and extend the sea defence project to cover their coastline. They believe that without immediate intervention, their community may soon become uninhabitable.

“We can’t fight nature alone. We need the government’s help before it’s too late. If nothing is done, a time will come when there will be nothing left to save,” Mr. Lamptey warned.

Residents remain hopeful that their plea will be heard, and necessary measures will be taken to secure their homes and livelihoods.

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Source: GRAPHIC ONLINE