Anlo MP raises concerns over $150m coastal project spending on workshops and consultancy

The Member of Parliament for Anlo, Richard Kwame Sefe, has expressed concern over the slow progress of a $150 million coastal protection project funded by the World Bank, warning that a significant portion of the funds may be consumed by administrative expenses before any physical work begins.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Sefe criticised the pace of implementation under the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Programme (WACA), which is intended to address coastal erosion and enhance climate resilience in vulnerable communities along Ghana’s coastline.

According to him, although a consultant has already been engaged for the project, there is little evidence of actual construction work on the ground. He noted that the initiative appears to be heavily focused on consultancy services, workshops, and stakeholder meetings, with limited progress toward building the much-needed sea defence infrastructure.

“The consultant has been procured. But the physical implementation of the project has been on the drawing board,” Mr Sefe stated, adding that frequent meetings and workshops are being held without corresponding action in affected communities.

He further criticised the organisation of stakeholder engagements far from the project areas, arguing that such decisions disconnect planners from the realities on the ground. He cited a recent workshop held in Eburi as an example, questioning why such meetings are not held closer to coastal communities experiencing severe erosion.

“What is the core relationship between Eburi and the coastal towns being ravaged by sea waves? Don’t we have any hotels around there that they could hold the meeting so that they could go to site and see things for themselves?” he asked.

Mr Sefe warned that if the current trend continues, a substantial portion of the $150 million funding could be spent on non-technical and administrative activities, leaving little for the actual construction of sea defence systems.

The WACA programme is a regional initiative aimed at strengthening climate resilience and protecting coastal communities across West Africa. In Ghana, it targets areas in the Volta Region where rising sea levels and persistent coastal erosion have displaced families, destroyed property, and threatened livelihoods.

The MP referenced previous coastal protection efforts, including the construction of a sea defence system in Keta in 1999, which involved extensive sand dredging and the placement of large rocks to stabilise the shoreline. He noted that such tangible interventions are urgently needed again to prevent further destruction.

While acknowledging the importance of planning, feasibility studies, and stakeholder consultations, Mr Sefe stressed that the urgency of the situation requires immediate physical action to protect vulnerable communities.

He called on implementing agencies and stakeholders to prioritise on-the-ground construction and ensure that the project delivers measurable impact, rather than being dominated by administrative processes.

The concerns raised add to ongoing discussions about project efficiency, accountability, and the effective use of development funds in addressing Ghana’s pressing environmental challenges.