Marine experts in Ghana are struggling to effectively monitor sea wave activities for danger signs to coastal communities.

This is because authorities at the Takoradi Port have destroyed the tidal gauge station used for the monitoring of the port expansion project. The station had been in existence since 1929.

Head of the Marine and Fisheries Department of the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. Kwasi Appeaning-Addo tells Joy News the situation is not good for the country. 

For communities near the coast, the marine expert said, this means that Ghana cannot tell how close the sea is getting to their settlements as the years go by, which could pose a threat. 

"The tide gate that was there before, we can’t find it. So Ghana is going to lose its position in the global scientific arena," Dr. Appeaning-Addo said.

Hitherto, Ghana was a significant contributor to climate change and sea level rise issues on the international stage.

However, according to Dr. Appeaning-Addo, this has changed for the worse as what will give Ghana the data to contribute to the global discussion has been destroyed.

The situation is not so bleak as Dr. Appeaning-Addo says a reconstruction of the structure and putting the tidal gauge back will go a long to help the nation. 

The tidal gauge was pulled down during the harbor expansion project and officials of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authorities have been alerted to the dangers lack of such a station poses.