Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on the government to provide urgent assistance to those affected by coastal erosion in the Ketu South constituency.
Among the hardest hit are the residents of Agavedzi and Amutinu, two coastal communities in the Volta Region, who are grappling with the devastating effects of powerful sea waves.
As such, Ahiagbah highlighted the urgency of the situation, stressing that entire communities have been almost entirely swallowed by the advancing sea, with the coastline now dangerously close to the main road.
“The sea is less than 15 feet from the main road, and it’s just a matter of days before the road is washed away,” Ahiagbah said in a statement.
According to Ahiagbah, many residents have been left homeless and are now forced to sleep on the premises of a newly built automated premix fuel station across the road.
The dire living conditions have left the people of Agavedzi and Amutinu in a state of despair, with no clear solution in sight.
Accordingly, Ahiagbah urged the government to step in and provide the necessary aid to these vulnerable communities.
“The residents told me the Member of Parliament, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, was in the community on February 3rd, but that was it. I think the government has to intervene to help the people.
‘Needless to say, this is Ketu South, the supposed ‘World Bank’ and the home of the General Secretary of the NDC, Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.”
Richard Ahiagbah
The situation in these communities is being exacerbated by the reluctance of some residents to publicly request help.
According to Ahiagbah, many people fear that seeking assistance could negatively impact the image of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the region.
He noted that some residents have refrained from voicing their concerns, worried it may damage the party’s popularity in what is considered a stronghold for the NDC.
The political dynamics surrounding the situation were also mentioned by Ahiagbah, who expressed frustration over the lack of action from local political figures.
“In fact, the NDC sympathetic Assemblyman, Mr. Ebenezer Assah, who in the past, under President Akufo-Addo, had been inciting the good people of the Volta Region against the NPP, has gone quiet and even refused to join me in touring the site.”
Richard Ahiagbah
This silence, according to him, illustrates the extent to which the political climate is affecting the residents’ ability to receive the help they need.
Government to Prioritize Safety of Affected Communities
For Richard Ahiagbah, the issue transcends politics, emphasizing that the primary concern is the welfare of the affected communities.
As such, he stressed that the government must act swiftly to prevent further damage and ensure the safety and survival of those living in the path of the encroaching sea.
“For me, this is beyond politics. The people need help, and the government must intervene now,” Ahiagbah insisted.
His call for action is a reminder of the urgent need for government intervention to address the growing crisis in Agavedzi and Amutinu, where lives and livelihoods are at stake due to the destructive effects of the sea.
Ahiagbah’s appeal highlights the growing concern over coastal erosion, which has increasingly become a significant issue in several coastal communities across Ghana.
With rising sea levels and powerful storms contributing to the erosion of land, many communities are at risk of losing their homes, businesses, and even their lives.
As the sea continues to encroach on these communities, residents are left vulnerable, with few options for escape or assistance.
Accordingly, the government’s response to the crisis in Agavedzi and Amutinu will be a test of its commitment to protecting the livelihoods of Ghanaians living in vulnerable regions.
The situation calls for immediate action to prevent further destruction and ensure that these residents receive the support they desperately need.
With growing pressure on local authorities and political figures to address the issue, Ahiagbah’s call serves as a poignant reminder that, in times of disaster, the focus must remain on the well-being of the people, not politics.
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