Ghana has officially launched the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA RESIP 2) in Accra, a major initiative to enhance the resilience of the nation’s coastline and restore critical coastal ecosystems.
This $155 million project, funded by the World Bank, will focus on tackling issues such as flooding, pollution, and erosion in critical areas, including the Korle Lagoon, Densu Basin, and Keta Lagoon.
The project is primarily financed through a $150 million credit facility from the International Development Association (IDA) and an additional $5 million grant from PROBLUE, a World Bank-administered multi-donor trust fund.
The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) spearheads the project, with Minister Ophelia Mensah Hayford overseeing its launch and forming steering and technical committees.
These committees will include representatives from various ministries, departments, agencies, traditional rulers, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
MESTI’s Minister emphasized the project’s focus on mitigating coastal erosion, managing flooding, controlling pollution, and managing ecosystems. It will also incorporate social initiatives to support coastal communities.
Specific interventions include constructing a jetty at Korle Lagoon to prevent sediment build-up and stabilize embankments, enhancing spatial planning and regulatory enforcement in the Densu Delta, and supporting reforestation and mangrove protection in the Keta Lagoon complex.
The PROBLUE grant will further contribute to Ghana’s blue economy by developing a sustainable ocean plan and advancing marine spatial planning.
Naila Ahmed, the WACA RESIP 2 Program Leader at the World Bank, highlighted that this investment responds to the severe impacts of climate change on coastal communities, adversely affecting residents’ livelihoods and well-being.
Prof. Patrick Agbesinyale, Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, lauded the project as a crucial step towards restoring Ghana’s coastal resources.
Ghana’s coastline is experiencing significant erosion, averaging two to five meters annually, with some areas facing up to 17 meters of erosion annually.
This erosion is compounded by frequent flooding due to rising sea levels and climate change. Since the 1960s, temperatures in Ghana have increased by about 1°C, with projections suggesting a further rise of 1°C to 3°C by mid-century and up to 5.3°C by the end of the century.
Due to these climate-related challenges, increased rainfall and flooding are expected to result in an annual loss of $160 million.
