Ursula Makes Bold Step Towards Construction Of Dansoman Sea Defence Wall

Residents of Gbegbeyise and Shiabu, coastal communities in the Ablekuma West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, can now heave a sigh of relief as construction of a five-kilometer sea defense wall has officially commenced.

The long-awaited project, which was initiated after several years of distress due to flooding and tidal wave damage, promises to bring much-needed protection to the area’s vulnerable residents.

The announcement of the project comes just days after a passionate appeal from Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West, to the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ministry of Finance.

Her call for urgent intervention was sparked by the increasing frequency of flooding and the persistent destruction caused by rising tides along the coastline.

In her appeal which was published by several media houses, Owusu-Ekuful warned that, without swift action, the risks to human life and local infrastructure would continue to escalate, with even greater consequences for the local economy.

A Desperate Call for Help

The destruction caused by these natural disasters has not only been physical but emotional as well. Many families have lost their homes, and businesses that once flourished along the coastline are now in jeopardy.

The residents of Dansoman have lived with the anxiety of possible displacement for years, watching as the sea slowly encroaches on their livelihoods. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful’s plea to the central government was not only a political request but also a heartfelt cry from a community on the edge, desperate for a solution.

During a media briefing, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, along with the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, provided further details on the project.

The sea defense wall, which is expected to stretch for five kilometers along the coast, will be completed within 36 months. However, the Minister emphasized that the government is committed to fast-tracking the work to mitigate further damage.

“We understand the urgency of this project. While the construction will take approximately 36 months, we are working closely with the contractor to ensure that the project is completed as quickly as possible,” Minister Oppong Nkrumah said. “We are urging the contractor to expedite the work, considering the imminent threat to the people and property in the area.”

Call for Community Support

As construction activities begin, MP Ursula Owusu-Ekuful made an impassioned plea to the residents of Gbegbeyise, Shiabu, and surrounding communities to support the ongoing work. She urged them to cooperate with the contractor and avoid any disruptions that could delay the project.

“The contractor is on-site with the necessary equipment and resources to begin work. It is crucial that we allow the project to proceed without interference. A lot of planning has gone into this, and we need the full support of the community to ensure its success,” she said.

Owusu-Ekuful also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of continued political support for the projects she has initiated in the constituency. “I have been working hard to bring development to Ablekuma West. The sea defense project is just one example of how we are addressing critical issues in our community. I ask for your support in the upcoming elections so that I can continue this work and complete the vital projects that are underway. A change in leadership could jeopardize these initiatives, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”