Volta’s Beachfront Economy Collapses as Tidal Waves Devastate Tourism Infrastructure

• Tidal waves have wrecked key coastal resorts, heritage sites, and roads in Ghana’s Volta Region, crippling the local tourism economy
• Angry over stalled sea defense projects, residents have blocked major highways to draw urgent attention to the tourism collapse
• Local tourism advocates warned that without urgent intervention, the region could lose status as one of Ghana’s top travel destinations

Once a rising jewel of eco-tourism in the country, Ghana’s Volta Region now lies battered by unforgiving tidal waves.

With beachfront resorts destroyed, cultural sites washed away, and roads cut off, the promise of a vibrant tourism economy is slipping into the sea.

Residents are no longer just calling for relief; they are demanding long-term protection for what remains of their cherished coastline.

Volta Region: Rising waters, sinking tourism

The latest tidal assault buried the Keta-Aflao tourism corridor under sand, rendering once-busy resort paths impassable.

Tour operators have cancelled bookings, students in hospitality training have been forced to abandon school, and businesses that once thrived on weekend beachgoers now remain empty.

"We lost our investment in minutes. We don’t need food donations, we need sea defense walls," said Adzo Lovia, manager of a beach resort in Salakope said.

The Assembly Member for the region, Sylvester Kumawu, has warned of broader implications.

"This isn’t just about homes. It’s about collapsing hotels, disappearing beaches, and vanishing livelihoods. The government must act now or lose Volta’s tourism forever," he stated.

Sea promises, no progress for Volta Region

After President John Mahama’s visit in early 2024, a GH₵2 million budget was reportedly set aside for sea defence expansion, yet no work has begun.

Hospitality and tourism entrepreneurs stated that they are still waiting for any real sign of intervention.

The former Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa, had previously assured residents that progress was imminent, but community leaders were now demanding proof.

"Where’s the transparency? If this were Labadi or Cape Coast, would it take this long? Our coast matters too," Assemblyman Sylvester said.

Residents block Keta-Denu highway in protest

In Salakope and Agavedzi, where tourism and local culture are deeply intertwined, residents blocked the Keta-Denu highway to force the government’s attention.

That road, now just metres from the encroaching ocean, is crucial for both local life and tourism logistics.

"We didn’t want to scare away the few tourists still coming. But if we lose this road, we lose everything - access, income, our way of life," said Kofi Nyadzi, a local eco-tour guide.

The disruption sent a clear message: ignore Volta’s coastline today, and the nation will lose a sustainable tourism gem tomorrow.

Tourism exodus and cross-border realities

Joel Degue, a tourism advocate and event organiser, painted a grim picture:

"Tourist arrivals have dropped to zero. Hotels have been flooded, roads are gone, and people now cross into Togo just to access drinking water. Children who were once trained as tour guides or hospitality staff are out of school.Visitors who once explored the serene beaches of Amutinu and Salakope now cancel trips due to safety concerns and poor infrastructure."

Mary Aforkor, a mother of three who used to host beachside cooking classes for tourists, commented:

"We pay three times the usual fare to send kids to school or pick up supplies. Some families have stopped altogether."

Volta community demands tourism-sensitive protection plan

Residents aren’t just demanding the completion of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project; they’re calling for a national strategy that protects both life and the tourism industry.

Their demands include an urgent continuation of coastal defense infrastructure, a tourism-focused emergency recovery plan, and inclusion of the Volta coast in Ghana’s climate adaptation and eco-tourism strategies.

"We want long-term plans, not sandbags. Our coast should be as protected as Osu Castle’s walls in Accra," said Efo Mawuli, a 60-year-old retired cultural tour guide.

Though the government and some donors have provided food and short-term relief, critics have argued that the deeper issue is the structural neglect of Ghana’s eastern coast.

Experts have also warned that without aggressive intervention, Volta’s tourism would erode, both figuratively and literally.

"Each year, the coastline gets smaller. Each year, promises get louder. But our beaches, our history, and our tourism economy? They’re fading," Degue said.

Mahama donates GH₵100K to Agavedzi flood victims

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Ghanaian businessman, Ibrahim Mahama, donated GH₵100,000 to victims of the Agavedzi tidal wave and other communities in the Volta Region.

The donation followed the 68th Independence Day celebration, after which Ibrahim and his brother, President John Mahama, visited the affected areas to assess the damage and deliver relief.

Residents of Amutinu, Salakope, and Agavedzi applauded the gesture, recognising the continued support during national disasters, including the Akosombo Dam spillage crisis in 2023.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh