A well-renowned Environmentalist and former head of the Developmental Geological Information Services, Prof Amamoo Otchere has warned that the destruction caused by series of strong waves will worsen until June this year.

The best way to deal with the issue is for government to admit and immediately erect sea defence walls in the coastal communities or evacuate the people, he said.

“From records, this year alone the month of April appears to be the warmest in human history. If we are not careful, there might be still warmer or hotter atmosphere and hotter air.

“If we conscientise ourselves and for the coastal regions, the physical adaptation is erecting a very strong sea defence wall so that the wave will, come hit it and go back,” he added.

His comments come after strong waves for a fourth time this year, displaced hundreds of residents and destroyed properties at Fuveme, Kporkporgbor, Dzita and Anyanui – all island communities at Keta in the Volta Region.

The situation has forced residents in the affected areas to vacate their homes to families and friends in neighbouring towns as a temporary measure, as hundreds of houses and schools have been submerged in floods.

Prof Octhere explained that the height of the sea defence wall can in time be extended, depending on the level of the waves.

“But for now, the only solution is to try and build a sea defence wall, if we don’t have money then it means they may have to quit that area,” he said.

Meanwhile, Joy News Volta regional correspondent Ivy Setordzi reports that the frustrated residents are calling for an extension of the sea defence wall.

According to the residents, the remaining land separating the sea from the Keta Lagoon is less than 100 meters and if that land is consumed by the sea, the result will be a huge inflow of the seawater into the lagoon which will lead to flooding in most of the communities.

Although government has acquired a land to relocate the residents, they have refused to move due to fears of losing their only source of livelihood, which is fishing.

Member of Parliament for the area, Clement Kofi Humado has called for a review of the coastal defence project, adding that the situation in the communities is dire.

In a related development in the Western region, scores of homes in the Ellembelle district have been submerged by strong waves.

Assemblyman for the Asanta Kotokoro electoral area in the district, Paul Ekelalu Amoah told Joy News in an interview that the victims have to be relocated immediately.

Officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) are yet to send relief items to the displaced residents in these regions.