Residents of Axim in the Nzema East Municipal Assembly in the Western region on Monday took to some principal streets in the area to demand the rebuilding of a collapsed sea defense wall.
This according to residents is the only solution to prevent further occurrence of tidal waves that ravaged several homes and displaced over 300 residents on Sunday.
Residents of Brawire and Akyenim, both suburbs of Axim were those heavily affected in the Nzema East Municipal Assembly.
The violent waves shook and displaced the foundations of the of the sea defense wall which was built in 1962.
It also destroyed items destroyed such as fish smoking ovens, fishing nets, livestock and room items.
Residents of the two communities who were clad in red and chanting war songs started street matching and protest at about 2 pm on Monday to the Municipal Chief Executive James Attah Kakra Baiden “to fulfill his failed promise of constructing sea defense wall for us since he assume his position.”
Some of the protesters who spoke to Citi News also said “we are demonstrating to let the authorities know that we do not want our homes to be washed away like that by the waves. The situation can be prevented. We need a sea defense wall. We need them to come assist us. For now, we have all sworn that any person who will move out on the day of election will incur the wrath of our ancestors.”
At Brawire, a 42 year old widow and a fishmonger with four children and two grandchildren said she lost her GHc1, 200 to the tidal waves. Her four smoking oven and her shed were destroyed.
“I could not retrieve it. As I was trying to get in to retrieve it, the waves were so violent that residents did not allow me in. I’ve lost everything and I’m staying with neigbours. I’ve been watching TV in people’s rooms because I do not know what to do now. I need help now,” she told Citi News.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive James Atta Baiden who had earlier visited some parts worst affected by the tidal waves with a team of experts noted in an exclusive interview with Citi News that, though the team is working to ascertain the support those affected will need temporarily, the reconstruction of the sea defense wall will help reclaim some lands.
In all, over 600 residents in the Ellembelle and Axim Municipal Assembly were displaced by last Sunday’s tidal waves. Other towns were Essiama, the district capital of Ellembelle, Asanta and Awoma.
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana