Ghana commence construction of US $69m sea defense wall

The government of Ghana has cut sod for the construction of a sea defense wall on the shores of the Ningo-Prampram District. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who cut the sod said the project is is meant to protect a coastal stretch of five kilometres from tidal waves, beach erosion and flooding.

The US $69m project which is under the Ningo-Prampram Coastal Protection Project involves construction of an armour rock revetment; the construction of a system of groins; and the reclamation of land. The Ministry of Works and Housing awarded the project to Messrs Bridge Global Consolidated Limited, the Contract while the Project Consultant is the Hydrological Services Department.

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Boost in livelihood tourism

Construction of the defense wall is expected to be completed in four years. President Akufo-Addo noted that the area was one of the most important tourist destinations in Ghana. Upon completion, the project will boost fishing activities, protect livelihoods, improve sanitation and health, facilitate the development of civil infrastructure, develop tourism infrastructure and promote tourism, protect social infrastructure, enhance future physical development, and create jobs.

“Construction of the sea defense wall is very essential to us because this area cannot derive the vast benefits of the tourism sector, if the erosion of its pristine shoreline and lands were not checked. The government will also do all it can to fix other challenges affecting the area”, said the President.

The Ghanaian coastal stretch experiences extensive beach erosion, mainly due to the impact of wave action. Currently, the Axim, Mensah Guinea, Ningo-Prampram, Cape Coast and Anomabu coastal stretches are experiencing extensive beach erosion posing major threats to life and livelihood; as well as buildings, salt pans, fish landing sites and other infrastructure sited in these areas.

Governments over the years have been making investments in coastal protection in order to manage shoreline recession. The successful implementation of these projects will serve to manage shoreline protection for the protection of lives, existing and future physical and social infrastructural development etc. Investors are being encouraged to invest in infrastructure as a result of the reclamation of land.