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By: Edward Graham Sebbie
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a major intervention to save Ghana’s threatened coastline, with an allocation of GH¢685 million to commence urgent coastal protection works in vulnerable communities under the West African Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project, WACA.
The President made the announcement at the 64th Grand Durbar of the Hogbetsotso Festival at Anloga on Saturday, November 8, 2026, in response to years of appeals by the chiefs and people of Anlo over the devastating impact of tidal waves and coastal erosion.
“I can answer you directly on this one and confirm that 685 million Ghana cedis have been allocated to commence coastal protection works under the West African Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project, popularly known as WACA. The anxiety of our coastal communities deserves our immediate attention,” President Mahama declared to cheers from the durbar grounds.
He said the situation in communities such as Fuveme and its environs required urgent action, stressing that no family should be forced to abandon its home repeatedly because of the destructive effects of the sea. According to him, coastal erosion continues to threaten homes, fishing livelihoods, schools, community facilities and places of cultural importance.
President Mahama explained that the GH¢685 million package will finance critical engineering interventions including the construction of breakwaters, groynes and revetments to absorb wave energy and hold the shoreline. Beyond the hard engineering, the project will also cover dune stabilisation through vegetation, beach replenishment, wetland restoration, and the rehabilitation of lagoons and watersheds.
He added that the intervention goes beyond physical structures to include livelihood support for residents in the affected areas, with particular focus on women, the youth and persons with disabilities.
In addition to the WACA allocation, President Mahama announced an extra GH¢250 million in the 2027 Budget to ensure the uninterrupted continuation and completion of Phase Two of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project, which he commissioned shortly after assuming office in July 2025. He said work on the project was progressing satisfactorily.
On the long-awaited Keta Port Project, the President disclosed that 47 companies had submitted expressions of interest to partner the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, GPHA, as strategic partners, with due diligence reducing the list to seven firms. He added that the port’s administration block at Kedzi would be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
In a major industrial boost for the region, President Mahama also announced plans to establish a 200-acre light industrial enclave in the Keta area, dedicated to textile and garment manufacturing, to be developed by the Ghana Export-Import Bank.
He said the enclave forms part of the government’s proposed $9 billion New Economy initiative targeting job creation between 2027 and 2030, and has the potential to create up to 10,000 jobs when fully operational, with at least 3,000 jobs expected at the start of operations.
The announcements were made in response to a passionate appeal by the Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbui Sri III, who called for clear timelines for coastal defence, the Keta Port and the relocation of the Eastern Naval Base to Keta.
The 64th Hogbetsotso Festival is being celebrated under the theme: “Anlo, Our Heritage and Our Values: Striving to Build One Ghana for a Better Tomorrow.”
