An open letter to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana - MyJoyOnline
Your Excellency,
I write to you once again, this time with an even greater sense of urgency. A month ago, I drew your attention to the dire situation in Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutsinu, and Adina—communities that were already teetering on the brink of devastation due to the relentless assault of tidal waves.
At that time, I called for immediate intervention. Now, the situation has escalated beyond critical levels. These communities are no longer simply suffering; they are on the verge of being wiped off the map.
I make a passionate and urgent appeal for you to declare a State of Emergency in the affected areas and order the immediate evacuation of residents to a designated Safe Haven.
We can no longer afford to delay. Every passing day deepens the suffering, and every wave that crashes onto these shores erodes not only homes and livelihoods but the very identity of our people.
Your Excellency, you have always championed development and infrastructure in the Volta Region. This is the moment to reaffirm your commitment to the well-being of the people who have placed their trust in you.
The residents of these coastal towns are Ghanaians, and they deserve protection. They cannot continue to live in fear, watching helplessly as their homes are swallowed by the sea. We must act decisively. The government must mobilise resources, deploy relief efforts, and prioritise long-term coastal defence mechanisms before it is too late.
This is not just an environmental disaster, Your Excellency; it is a humanitarian crisis. I urge you to stand with the people of Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutsinu, and Adina in their hour of distress. Declare a State of Emergency, secure the coastal road, and relocate the affected residents to safety immediately.
Your Excellency,
I write not only as a journalist, as I did in my previous letter, but as a true daughter of the coast—one who is 100% from the coastal areas of the southern Volta Region.
This issue is not only of professional concern to me; it affects me personally. The devastation caused by tidal waves in Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutsinu, and the Anloga Municipality—especially in Kporkporgbor and Fuveme, both of which have already been claimed by the sea—is no longer just a crisis; it is an unfolding catastrophe that will claim lives and livelihoods within days if no action is taken.
With nearly two decades of experience as a journalist, much of it spent covering issues like this, I have witnessed the patterns before. The warning signs are clear, and history tells us that without swift action, the situation will spiral into an irreversible disaster. That is why I am reminding you of the impending danger—not in weeks or months, but in a matter of days.
I make an impassioned appeal for you to declare a State of Emergency in the affected areas and order the immediate evacuation of residents to a designated Safe Haven. Their safety must be prioritised before the worst happens.
In addition to the human suffering, the Keta-Denu Littoral Road—a vital link for our people—is at serious risk of destruction. If this road is lost, it will not only disconnect communities but cripple economic activity and emergency response efforts. The people of these coastal communities—our people—cannot be left to the mercy of the waves.
Your Excellency, I call on you to act now. Declare a State of Emergency, secure the coastal road, and relocate the affected residents immediately. Time is against us, but with decisive leadership, we can still prevent a total catastrophe.
#ProtectSouthernVoltaCoast
Yours sincerely,
Ivy Priscilla Setordjie
Journalist | Daughter of the Coast, Southern Volta
The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.