Residents of Anlo Beach, a coastal community in the Shama District of the Western Region, who had many of their houses and other structures swept away by last Sunday’s tidal waves, are calling on the government to help resettle them.
The over 3,000 fisher folks have had their assets taken over by the sea within the last seven years.
Fishing gears, houses and other personal effects are lost each year to the sea.
The people have therefore, indicated that resettling them will help avoid another disaster.
The Shama District Chief Executive, Ebenezer Dadzie made the disclosure when he took journalists to the area to assess the situation.
Noble King Dugbatsey, Secretary, Council of Elders in the area said, he was heavily affected by the tidal waves and added that, they have complained to the assembly sometime back to resettle them but no one gave them a listening ear.
He said an immediate intervention that would see them relocate to a safer place, is all they need now.
The Assembly man for the area, Samuel Borlu, said over 80 per cent of the community has been washed away since 2017, saying “if nothing at all relocate them since there is already an acquired hilly location in 2017.”
The DCE said the problem needed to be resolved permanently, adding that, it is becoming an annual ritual.
“It has been with us for over 20 years now and I think it has to be solved permanently. There is a land for resettlement but there is dispute and I have spoken to the parties involved to resolve all the issues before the ministry comes,” he disclosed.
Ericson Abakah, MP for Shama, said the issue of tidal waves causing havoc to some part of the coast line is not new and said he will do his best to facilitate the processes for government to acquire the site for compulsory resettlement.
“I have also been in touch with companies operating within the Shama district to help develop the site and bring in the various amenities that will make the resettled persons enjoy some basic infrastructure and amenities,” he added.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Anlo Beach