KETA SEA DEFENCE NOT YET COMPLETED

Story: Victor Kwawukume, Keta

Contrary to the belief that the completion of the Keta Sea Defence Project will bring lasting relief to the people of the affected area, indications are that the people are rather seeing the project both as a blessing and a curse and ‘far from completed’.

This is because, in spite of the project, the sea continues to ravage settlements around Sorku-Horvie, just a few kilometres from the Defence Project Site and has therefore displaced a number of residents.

Kedzi is one of the areas hardest-hit by the sea erosion and Mr. Prosper Kwawoo who is the assemblyman for the Kedzi electoral area attributes this situation to groynes that were created as part of the sea defence project, to repel strong waves from causing damage to settlements.

The town of Keta and its surrounding townships is located on the eastern margin of the Volta River Delta and is in the lee of a major shoreline protuberance called Cape St. Paul, created as the result of a major realignment of the delta front.

Erosion occurred at Keta because sand moving from west to east in the longshore transport system, at rates estimated over one million cubic metres/year, is preferentially deposited at the Cape, creating a deficit in the Keta area where the shoreline is retreating at rates of up to 8 cubic metres/year.

The Keta Sea Defence Works Project (KSDWP) project was thus a major construction project to address coastal erosion in the area and included four major objectives or components.

Sea defense works was expected to limit further erosion (groynes, revetments, beach nourishment), land reclamation from the lagoon adjacent to the town of Keta, providing an area for local inhabitants to rebuild homes that were lost to erosion, construction of a road between Keta and Havedzi, re-establishing a road link between these townships lost to erosion and flood control for Keta Lagoon, providing relief from extreme flooding conditions for inhabitants around the lagoon.

However, in an interview with the “ Daily Graphic’, Mr. Kwawoo said, it was the opinion of the people of the area that when the strong tides were repelled by the groynes, they were pushed back to the other side of the project where the Sorku-Horvie town was and that is what was responsible for the destruction of that town.

The groynes, he said, had therefore been both a curse and blessing thus solving one problem on one hand and creating another on the other.

Mr. Kwawoo however admitted that the good aspects of the project outweighed the bad but maintained that there were still people who were being adversely affected by the current situation.

The other problem, according to Mr. Kwawoo, is the re-settlement of the people whose buildings were destroyed as part of the defence project.

He claimed that before the project began, over 580 households were counted saying that out this number, 400 houses were destroyed to pave the way for the project and also allegedly partly due to the groynes.

Out of this number, he maintained that about 60 had been completed and that people were yet to occupy those ones.

For now, he said, the displaced families were still putting up in makeshift structures made from woven palm branches.

Mr. Kwawoo also said that a good number of contractors who were awarded contracts to put up the housing units have abandoned site whereas some who came began the work only to abandon them halfway.

Other concerns that he expressed regarded the poor quality of work done, lack of supervision of the jobs that were done, lack of a sewage system and the non-availability of service poles to extend electricity to homes.

He claimed also that because of the scanty number of the units so far put up, it had become increasingly difficult to allocate the units since there were a great number of people who were entitled to benefit.

In a reaction, the Keta District Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Ahiabor debunked the suggestion that the groynes were responsible for the destruction of the Horvie town saying “from a technical point of view, I don’t’ think the location of the groynes is affecting the Horvie town”.

He explained that tidal waves intensified between July and September every year and these waves that eroded part of the coastal land.

The expectation, he said, was that there would be a higher accumulation of sand at the eastern side of the project site than the western side adding that “this balance is necessary to create a beach within the next five years”.

With regards to the erosion that is occurring at Sorku-Horvie, billions of cedis would be required to tackle it, he said.

With regards to the housing units, 900 were to be constructed in categories of ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, and ‘D’ with category ‘A’ being the highest according to the value of a person’s destroyed property and ‘D’ being the least.

So far, he intimated that 300 of the type ‘D’s had been completed and that the assembly had already handed over the keys to these buildings to the various beneficiaries.

He added that priority was given to those whose buildings had been directly affected by the construction of the groynes.

Mr. Ahiabor said that funds have been made available for the construction of all the other types of houses and expressed the hope that the project will be completed before June next year.

He said that consultants had written to contractors who had abandoned site to return or risk their contract terminated.

Reacting to the allegation of the shoddy nature of work done, Mr. Ahiabor said the project was being supervised by the Public Works Department adding that before any completed building was handed over, it was certified by the district assembly’s engineers.

He however said that due to the absence of trees, the buildings were exposed to the direct vagaries of the weather since there were no trees to serve as windbreaks and that could be responsible for some little problems like roofs ripping off.

Mr. Ahiabor therefore advised the occupants of the buildings to plant trees and also undertake periodic maintenance on the buildings to ensure that they stayed in good condition.

He said the provision of electricity, water and sewage system was not part of the original project but somehow, the government of the day saw the need to add them and so under the HIPC funds they are being done.

He said electricity would be extended to homes when sourced funds become available adding also that a central sewage system will be created where the waste material will go for treatment so that there will be no need for individual suc-aways.

Mr. Ahiabor also renewed calls on miscreants who were removing stones from the protective stones at the Keta beach to stop since they would not be spared when caught.

He said some "desperadoes as a way of discrediting the government" were carrying out such acts, including sand winning at the beach.

"When the long arm of the law catches up with such people, they would be dealt with without mercy," he said.

Mr Ahiabor said the government was committed to its promise to execute all sub-projects of the Sea Defence Project and that the contract for the construction of a modern clinic at Kedzi had been awarded.

PIX 1. One of the groynes at the centre of the controversy.

PIX 2. One of the yet-to-be occupied buildings that had its roof ripped off during a rainstorm.

PIX 3. A typical example of one of the makeshift structures that the displaced people are putting up in.

PIX 4. A view of the makeshift structures

PIX 5. Shoddy work or vagaries of the weather?

PIX 6. In the absence of a sewage system people resort to open sewers that breed mosquitoes.

PIX 7. An aerial view of a portion of the reclaimed land

PICTURES: VICTOR KWAWUKUME

Story: Tim Dzamboe & Victor Kwawukume, Anloga

The government has announced an Executive Instrument banning the possession and the carrying of firearms in the Anloga, Keta and surrounding areas.

Anybody who is caught carrying any firearm apart from the Police and Military detailed at the area would be arrested and made to face the full rigours of the law, he warned.

The minister of Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels who announced this at Anloga last Saturday said, “we must do everything to forestall another explosion”.

He gave the order when a ministerial team made up of himself, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah, the Minister of Justice and Attorney -General, Mr. Joe Ghartey and the Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi paid a visit to the Anlo area to ascertain first hand information on the situation on the ground following clashes triggered by activities in connection with the installation of a new Awoamefia of Anlo which led to four deaths last Thursday.

Addressing police personnel deployed to the scene, Mr. Bartels said that the crisis at Anloga was not over and that the security must be vigilant in order to ensure that a volatile situation does not ensue.

He expressed sympathy and regret over the death of one of their colleagues but urged them not allow that situation to result in emotional imbalance that would affect their professional duties.

“I appreciate the professional manner in which you have handled the riot, even in spite of the death of one of your colleagues, you have conducted yourself very professionally”, he said.

Mr. Bartels asked them to do their best to ensure that peace, tranquillity and stability returned to the area.

Addressing the military contingent stationed at the area, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Kan Dapaah stressed that the greater number of residents of the Anlo area were law-abiding citizens and therefore the security detail should take that into consideration when dealing with the people.

“The way we handle the people is very essential. Let us have this in mind as we go about our duties”, he stressed.

He assured them that all their logistical constraints would be taken care of for them to be able to effectively perform their functions towards the normalising of the situation in the area.

Briefing the ministers, the Keta District Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Ahiabor assured that currently, there was “absolute peace and calm” in the area but expressed worry about the aftermath of the situation saying there was the likelihood of “people jumping on each other”.

He therefore requested that when the situation normalises, some security should be asked to remain on the ground until the tension was totally dissipated.

Mr. Ahiabor also said that there was not enough money to cater for the scores of security men that had been brought to the area and therefore called for central government financial assistance in taking care of them.

The Deputy Volta Regional Police Commander, ACP Alhaji Hamidu Mahama said that the 90 suspects who were picked up last Friday had been pruned down to 74 who were currently at Ho and added that the interrogation process was being expedited to ensure that those who are innocent are quickly released.

He said the moral of the Police personnel was at 75 per cent from a low of 20 per cent when their colleague was killed.

The ministerial team also paid a visit to the Keta Government Hospital where they interacted and sympathised with those who got wounded during the riot.

Meanwhile the curfew that was imposed last Friday took effective effect yesterday from Whuti through Anloga right down to Keta.

At 6pm, there was no sight of people in town. All social activities had halted in absolute compliance with the directive of the minister of interior.

However, because of the construction of the Aflao-Akatsi road most vehicles had to divert through Keta-Anloga to Dabala junction.

But the security mounted road blocks and thoroughly searched all vehicles including the one that the ‘Daily Graphic’ reporters were travelling in.

Some vehicles returning home to Keta who could not beat the 6pm deadline had parked to spend the night at Savietula, just in the outskirts of Anloga but the Deputy Regional Police Commander, ACP Alhaji Hamidu escorted them to their various destinations.

‘SET UP C’SSION TO LOOK INTO ANLO CLASHES’

Story: Tim Dzamboe & Victor Kwawukume, Anloga

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ave-Avenor Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho has called on government to institute an independent commission of enquiry to look into circumstances that surrounded the rioting at Anloga last Thursday and led to the loss of four lives including that of a policeman.

According to him, with the loss of a policeman, he did not believe that the police would be able to do an impartial investigation and that it was necessary for a committee to be set up to investigate the matter.

Hon. Doe Adjaho said this when he led a delegation of MPs including the MP for Anlo, Hon. Clement Kofi Humado, MP for Ketu North, Hon. James Avedzi and that of Ketu South, Hon. Albert Zigah to assess the situation at Anloga following the clashes that occurred in connection with the rites towards the installation of Regent Sri III as Awoamefia of the Anlo State.

Hon. Adjaho said he was disappointed in the police and that the police had not acted professionally.

He said that there were clear indications that the planned installation of the Regent as Awoamefia was going to create a problem, in spite of that the police granted the permit for it to be done.

“What assessment did the Police do before granting the permit?”, he questioned.

He said the MP for the area had been on radio last week with the information that there could be a problem if the planned installation took place adding that if the police had heeded the advice, there would not have been any loss of lives.

He accused the police of taking sides and protecting one side to the neglect of the other saying when the commission of enquiry is set up and comes out with its finding, those guilty should be made to face the full rigours of the law.

He also called on the two sides to exercise restraint and allow the judicial process to take its course.

In a related development, the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbega Gabusu VI condemned the violence that had led to the loss of four lives.

He has also called on both factions in the dispute to exercise calm and pursue channels of dialogue saying that the Volta Region was noted for peace and that they should not do anything that would mar that image of the region.

In another development, a press release signed and issued by the Awoamefia Stool Secretary, Napoleon Agboada for and on behalf of the Adzorvia Clan last Friday stated that “the final confinement rites have been performed and the new Awoamefia known as Tobgi Sri III has accordingly been installed and outdoored this morning, November 2, 2007 at the Central stool house and Agorwoxonu at Anloga. A coronation date will be announced later”.

The statement said that following the unfortunate incident that occurred when three persons and a security man lost their lives and in consultation with “Fiagawo” under the Anlo Traditional Council, an emergency traditional council meeting would be conveyed on Tuesday, November 13 in Anloga to discuss the issues and make representations to government.

“The unwarranted attack on the Police and other persons by a rebel group organised by the so called Concerned Citizens of Anlo to cause mayhem is hereby totally condemned”, it said.

“We wish to caution and advise those who proclaim violence that they would one day be consumed by violence. Whilst we bear no one grudge, we state categorically that non-royals and betrayers would never be permitted to veer us from our royal duty”, the statement stressed.

The release on the installation had engendered a conflict with a media report that an Accra Fast Track High court had restrained the kingmakers of the Anlo traditional council from installing Francis Nyonyo Agboada, alias Regent Torgbui Sri III as the Awoamefia.

‘RE-CONSTITUTE BORDER DEMARCATION C’SSION’

Story: Victor Kwawukume, Ho

The Commanding Officer of the 66^th Artillery Regiment in Ho, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Kotia has called on government to as a matter of urgency, re-constitute the Ghana/Togo Re-demarcation Commission to find a lasting solution to a prolonged land dispute between farmers at Ashanti-Kpoeta in the Ho Municipality and their counterparts in Togo that threatens to mar the cordial relations between the two countries.

Briefing the Minister of Defence, Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah here yesterday on the security flashpoints in the region, Lt. Col. Kotia stressed that the uneasy calm that was currently prevailing if not checked by the re-constitution of the commission could result in a volatile situation.

“There is the crucial need to revamp security at the boundary to forestall any unforeseen circumstances between Ghana and Togo”, he cautioned.

The briefing formed part of the Defence Minister’s one day visit to inspect government and self-help projects of the regiment and also to interact with the officers and men of the regiment as well as civilian staff.

He was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding the Southern Command, Brigadier General Emmanuel Okyere and other heads of the army units in the Ghana Armed Forces.

Projects that he inspected included a ¢7.5 billion four-unit 16 flats housing project, Social Security and National Insurance Trust housing project and other self-help income generating projects.

He also commissioned a ¢1 billion water reservoir containing 66,000 gallons of water.

Lt. Col. Kotia also mentioned the Anlo Chieftaincy problem as one other major security concern but added that the military were on the alert to avert any situation that could prove disastrous adding that “this week is a test case for security in the Anlo traditional area”.

He said in all, there were about ten security flashpoints in the region but lauded the people of Alavanyo and Nkonya for the bold steps they had taken to address their decades old feud.

He appealed to the Military High Command to provide vehicles for towing sophisticated weapons to ensure that combat readiness and efficiency on the part of the regiment was ensured towards effective protection of the eastern corridor of the country.

Mr. Kan Dapaah urged the regiment to maintain their level-headedness and discipline which had helped in controlling the various flashpoints in the region.

He also commended their efforts at improving civil/military relations and moves to change the wrong perceptions that the civilian population had about the military.

“You should sustain the proud accomplishment of maintaining security at the eastern corridor of the nation to protect the peace, unity, security and the harmony prevailing within the borders of the country”, he emphasised.

Mr. Kan Dapaah had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister who commended the cordial relations between the military and the Co-ordinating Council and added that the V.R.C.C. was ready to provide the needed support to ensure that they were able to perform their statutory functions effectively and efficiently.

Story: Victor Kwawukume, Ho & Anloga

CRIPPLE DIES IN POLICE CUSTODY

A 32 year old cripple, Israel Kobla Amenume, who was arrested as a suspect in the clashes that occurred at Anloga last Thursday has died in Police Custody.

Cell team leader, Emmanuel Lambert Yao Dzokoto told the ‘Daily Graphic’ that suspect died in his arms as he was trying to resuscitate him.

However, Police sources have denied that the suspect died in custody but are saying that he collapsed and was rushed to hospital where he died.

According to Emmanuel Dzokoto, the deceased had been behaving abnormally in the morning and had refused to eat his ration of kenkey and pepper which had been served them.

He said in the evening, also refused to eat his supper but rather gave it out to another suspect to eat.

Not long after, he said, suspect started gasping for breath and blood started oozing from his nostrils.

The attention of the Police on duty, he said, was drawn who said he was going to bring a vehicle for him to be conveyed to the hospital.

By the time he returned with the vehicle, he added, Israel Kobla Amenume had died and his lifeless body was conveyed away to the hospital.

When the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Bernard Dery he confirmed the death but added that the suspect had not died in Police custody but rather at the Volta Regional Hospital.

Mr. Dery told the ‘Daily Graphic’ that suspect had refused to eat his supper and consequently started behaving abnormally and hitting his head against the walls of the cell following which he collapsed and was rushed first to the Ho Municipal hospital where he was further referred to the Volta Regional Hospital due to the unavailability of a doctor.

He said, at the Volta Regional Hospital too, there was no doctor and the suspect consequently died.

According to Mr. Dery suspect was conveyed to the hospital in his personal saloon car which at the time of interviewing him, was being washed due to blood from the deceased’s nostrils that stained the upholstery.

A source at the Volta Regional Hospital who pleaded anonymity intimated to the ‘Daily Graphic’ that when suspect Israel Amenume was brought to the hospital, he was already dead.

Meanwhile Mr. Dery has called for an inquest to ascertain the actual cause of death of the suspect.

He said that he had spoken to the Medical Superintendent at the Volta Regional Hospital and had directed for an inquest to find out what had killed Israel Amenume adding that if any foul play is uncovered, anyone responsible would be dealt with.

Meanwhile the curfew that has been imposed on the Anlo area is still in force however, last night a group of young men in Keta staged road blocks and started burning tyres on the street to register their protests at their area being included in the curfew when the incident had occurred at Anloga.

But the police and military on the ground quickly moved in and brought the situation under control.

This blog is the silo of every information concerning the Volta Region, Ghana. The Volta Region is the most heterogenuous and diversified region in Ghana and has so much to offer in terms of economic, socio and political matters of the highest interest. It is my expectation that you will find the store of information here very relevant to your needs.