Some of the displaced people
The Shama District Assembly has begun clearing a site for the relocation of residents of Anlo Beach, a fishing community along the beach of Shama District in the Western Region, to help save lives and property.
The residents of Anlo Beach, who are engaged in fishing expeditions, continue to suffer from the effects of climate change and tidal waves which are gradually destroying the entire village.
In June, this year, about 198 houses along the shoreline of the community were washed away while close to 838 people occupying them were displaced.
The community initially rejected the offer of resettlement, but has now come to terms with reality.
Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed, Western Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), revealed
that a land has been secured for the relocation of the inhabitants, adding, “We are currently engaging the owners of the land to formalise all due process to enable us successfully resettle these people.”
The NADMO regional boss said, “We are engaging the chiefs, opinion leaders and the Shama District Assembly on the proposed plan of resettlement and the needed budget that has to be prepared for a smooth transition.”
He indicated that Anlo Beach is one of the coastal communities in the Shama District, which has been battling with tidal waves for years, adding “But this year the waves have been unrelenting and severe.”
“Houses and properties have been lost to the ravaging waves. Attempts to relocate the community have not been successful”.
“But the severity of this year’s destruction has compelled all of us to necessarily relocate the community since any further delay will cause unimaginable destruction to properties and perhaps lives,” he indicated.
To this end, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shama Joseph Amoah, Chief of Anlo Beach, Torgbui Galikor and other stakeholders, visited the site for the relocation to witness the commencement of the clearing of the land, as well as the performance of other rites.
The Shama District Assembly hopes to finish the clearing the site very soon after which the Works Department of the assembly will demarcate the land.
The District Chief Executive, Mr Amoah admitted that the relocation is capital intensive but added that the assembly would partner corporate Shama to get funds to put up structures.
“We have had the support of the chief and his elders of Anlo Beach to start the relocation project. In fact with the clearing, it should not take us a week. When that is done then we will commence with the demarcation of the site,” he added.
“The resettlement is capital intensive which means we have to look for more funds because the assembly cannot do it all. This has made it necessary for the assembly to draft a proposal which will enable us seek for external funds from development partners and our common funds to support the project.”
“If we do not get enough funds, we will provide them with cement, roofing sheets and other building materials to support them in reconstructing their houses”.
Torgbui Galikor, Chief of Anlo Beach, explained that “his subjects have been looking forward to this day for a long time.”
“I want to on behalf of the whole community thank the assembly and the government for this effort. I want to assure you that we are ready to relocate. As I speak nobody will be allowed to put up a new structure in the old community. This is to ensure that all of us move.”
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi