Mahama prioritises sea defence projects to protect coastal communities
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his administration will prioritise the construction of sea defence projects to safeguard coastal communities threatened by floods and rising sea levels.
Speaking during his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament on Thursday, February 27, 2025, he stressed that coastal protection is now a critical national priority due to the increasing threats of erosion and displacement.
"Ghana has a coastline that stretches approximately 550 kilometres. Two-thirds of this coastline is threatened by tidal wave erosion, impacting nearly 30 per cent of Ghana’s population," he stated.
President Mahama noted that rising sea levels have intensified vulnerabilities in coastal areas, leading to flooding, habitat loss, and community displacement.
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The President also highlighted that urban flooding has become a recurring disaster in many parts of the country, causing tragic loss of lives, livelihoods, and property.
"Many of our drainage systems are inadequate, worsened by careless waterway construction, obstruction, and relentless encroachment on wetlands and flood plains," he said.
To effectively tackle these challenges, President Mahama emphasised the need to explore alternative sources of funding to support drainage work, desilting, flood control, and coastal protection.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to safeguard communities from the devastating impact of climate change and poor urban planning.
