Residents of Anlo Beach Community in the Shama District of the Western Region are living in fear as their homes and livelihoods are being threatened by strong tidal waves that are gradually eroding the community into the ocean.
Over 500 houses have been swept away, leaving many residents displaced and without a place to sleep.
One resident, who spoke to Channel One News, described the devastating impact of the tidal waves on his family:
“My family and I are currently living with my brother because our home was destroyed. My wife has even left for Kumasi due to the situation. We urgently need the government’s assistance to provide us with a place to sleep and possibly build a sea defence to protect our community.”
Samuel Borlu, the Assembly member for Anlo Beach, emphasised the severity of the situation, saying “The tidal waves started affecting our community in 1995-1996, but it intensified in 2017-2018, destroying around 500 houses within a year.
“The impact is enormous, as our community relies heavily on fishing, and the erosion of our fishing shoreline is now making it difficult for residents to cast their nets and pull them ashore. The livelihoods of our people are under serious threat.”
The residents are calling on the government to take immediate action to address their plight and protect their homes and livelihoods from the ravaging tidal waves.
