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SHAMA: Anlo Beach residents appeal for govt support to relocation

The residents of Anlo Beach, a fishing community in the Shama District of the Western Region are calling for government intervention to help them secure land for their relocation.

Date Created : 4/4/2018 6:56:07 AM : Story Author : Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com

Residents have over the years endured the wrath of tidal waves but have refused to relocate because of the source of their livelihoods which is predominantly fishing. However, in July 2017, the devastation visited on the community was so severe leading to the loss of 3 lives and a number of houses also washed away.

Situated in-between the Pra Estuary enclave and the sea, what is left of the community is a small land space, and the fear of the people is that as the raining season draws near, they will be at the mercy of both the Pra River and the Sea which is fast reducing their land size.

Expressing the ordeal of the community to journalists during a tour of the community, as part of the media engagement organized by USAID/SFME, Simon Atiatornu, a Unit Committee Chairman, and fisheries co-management member stated that though the community has now agreed to relocate for which land has been allocated for them at Sokpolitodzi, and the Assembly also assisted in clearing the land, they are unable to embark on the relocation because the community could not raise an amount of Four Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS400, 000.00).

He added that an initial term of payment suggested for the community was also rejected because it was not favourable and they would not be able to fulfill it. To this end, an injunction has been placed on the land by the land owners until the community honours the payment.

He also disclosed that appeals made to the Assembly to help have not yielded results, instead the Assembly has asked the community to settle the issue with the land owners themselves.

Innocent Barasu, another resident of the community also expressed the readiness of the community to put up their own accommodation if only the land can be secured for them, either by government, assembly or NGOs.

Meanwhile, USAID/Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP) as part of its sustainable fisheries management practices is doing a lot to help the community maintain and sustain their livelihoods.

SFMP has supported Friend of the Nation (FoN) to assist the community in the conservation and restoration of mangroves and fisheries resources, and the people are excited about their new knowledge about fisheries resources, and mangrove management through the fisheries co-management plan which they have developed.