MCE: Construction of Keta Harbour will restore economic glory
Emmanuel Gemegah is hopeful the construction of a harbour in the Keta municipality will stimulate economic growth
The construction of the much-awaited Keta Harbour will greatly help restore economic glory of the municipality, the MCE for Keta, Emmanuel Gemegah, has said.
At least 3,000 people in the Keta municipality have been rendered homeless after tidal waves swept through their homes on Sunday. The development has not only taken a huge toll on economic activities but also tourism sites including major forts in the area.
Speaking to Nana Yaa Mensah on the back of the development on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (9 November), Gemegah said the establishment of the harbour is crucial to the economic wellbeing of the locals.
“I learnt government is also very much committed to facilitate the construction of a harbour in Keta. We are all in anticipation that when this harbour is constructed, it will help us a lot, and Keta will return to its former glory in terms of trade and economic activities,” Gemegah said.
He said the recent tidal wave is destroying most of the colonial monuments and forts in the Keta municipality.
Illegal sand winning
Meanwhile, the Executive director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, is blaming the latest tidal wave in Keta partly to the increasing activities of illegal sand winners along the coastal areas.
Speaking to Nana Yaa Mensah on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (8 November), Kokofu said: “It is quite disturbing, that has been the warning that we have got to be very careful.”
“Recently we were in the news battling some people winning sand and exporting them illegally to Togo to go and sell and so once you do all these things, you are encouraging this degradation, and you are encouraging the sea tidal waves to invade on the land and cause havoc.”
He added: “So, our attitude as a people is a major thing to look at. It has to do with awareness creation and education and applying the law by punishing the wrongdoer.”
The EPA boss is also advocating for a review of the way sea defence wall is built in addressing the tidal wave menace.
“Going forward we have got to look at the whole concept of sea defence wall and the construction methods. The escalation of the tidal wave as a result of climate change is somehow a cause… but the practical way is to stop the sand winning,” Kokofu said.
Fred Dzakpata
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