On Tuesday, 18th August, 2026, the Board and Audit Committee of the Ghana Hydrological Authority (HYDRO) undertook a site visit to the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project Phase II to assess progress, identify implementation challenges and explore measures to sustain the project’s benefits beyond completion.
The project, which commenced in July 2025 and is scheduled for completion in June 2028, involves the construction of coastal protection groynes for land reclamation and associated community infrastructure. The project team reported that works are progressing ahead of schedule, with physical progress currently estimated at 39% against an overall contractual progress of 51%.
Of the 37 groynes originally planned for the project, 40 are now being constructed to respond to prevailing site conditions and help minimise the downstream effects of longshore sediment drift. At the time of the visit, work was ongoing on 22 groynes, with 14 already completed. The completed structures have trapped significant quantities of sand, contributing to the reclamation and stabilisation of sections of the coastline.
The Board noted the visible impact of the groynes and engaged the project team on measures to ensure that the intervention does not simply shift coastal erosion and sediment-drift challenges to neighbouring communities. The additional shorter groynes are intended to trap less sand and thereby reduce potential downstream impacts.
The Board Chairman also stressed the importance of community engagement and education, particularly as some residents have reportedly returned to reclaimed beach areas for construction and activities that could undermine the gains made by the project. Discussions also considered the potential role of vegetation, including beach planting, in supporting long-term shoreline stability.
The contractor, Amandi, highlighted outstanding payment certificates and tchallenges associated with the renewal of permits as main issues affecting implementation. The contractor was advised to formally submit the outstanding challenges to HYDRO for consideration and appropriate action at the next Board meeting.
The visit also highlighted planned auxiliary facilities for communities within the project area, including a fish market, sports centre and school, subject to final approval. Plans are additionally underway to reconstruct approximately 12 kilometres of road affected by heavy haulage activities associated with Phases I and II, with a proposal already submitted.
The Board and Audit Committee also met with the Chief of Blekusu, who commended the Government and HYDRO’s efforts to protect coastal communities while appealing for further interventions beyond the current project area to safeguard neighbouring communities from potential downstream effects.
The visit reaffirmed HYDRO’s commitment to monitoring the implementation of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project and ensuring that coastal protection measures deliver sustainable benefits to communities along the affected coastline.
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