President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the second phase of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project during a ceremony in Agavedzi on Saturday, fulfilling a promise he made earlier this year to the people of Ketu South.
The $150 million project, which had stalled for nearly a decade, will now resume with construction of 37 groynes and critical shoreline infrastructure along an 8-kilometre stretch covering Blekusu, Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutsinu, and Adina. Phase I, covering 4.3 km, began under Mahama’s previous administration in 2015.
“The sea has taken a lot from this community—land, livelihoods, and peace of mind. But today, I say, no more will the sea consume our land,” the President declared, as thousands gathered to witness what many described as a long-overdue intervention.
Mahama emphasized that the initiative goes beyond building sea walls.
“Aside from the coastal protection works, government has incorporated vital development projects to enhance the lives of the people in the affected area,” he said.
These include a modern fish market, cold storage facilities, a lorry park, and improved sanitation systems.
The President also highlighted the ongoing West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Programme, which aims to extend protection from Blekusu to Aflao, as part of a broader plan to safeguard Ghana’s 550-kilometre coastline.
Residents, traditional leaders, and community members erupted in celebration, expressing relief and gratitude.
“Your voices will no longer be ignored. Today is your day – a day of renewal and reassurance,” Mahama said, assuring the crowd that the government was committed to delivering lasting solutions to coastal erosion.
