KNUST study reveals sea defence system shifting tidal impacts to other Keta communities

A three-year research project conducted by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) researchers has uncovered the rising risk of coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and tidal impacts on coastal communities in Ghana. The study focused on the Keta coastline, revealing that the existing sea defense system is instead shifting the impact of high tides to unguarded communities.

Additionally, some freshwater sources in the area are showing significant salt contamination. The researchers from the West Africa Geophysics (WAGeo) Lab are urging for immediate action to establish a national coastal monitoring and early warning system to safeguard vulnerable communities. Some sections of the coastline have lost over 103 meters of land during the study period, with erosion rates in certain areas reaching up to 30.5 meters per year.

In some communities, seawater has traveled more than 1.3 kilometers inland, contaminating groundwater and threatening freshwater supplies. The researchers recommend expanding Ghana's national coastal monitoring network, deploying real-time early warning systems, and fostering stronger collaboration among state institutions for improved data sharing and disaster preparedness.

They also call for increased investment in locally developed technologies that can provide real-time coastal data to aid in planning and climate adaptation. The project's principal investigator, Dr. Cyril D. Boateng, highlights that the research aimed to contribute directly to policy and decision-making, sharing the findings with key agencies responsible for coastal management.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have expressed support for the project, emphasizing the potential of its findings to improve forecasting, disaster preparedness, and environmental intelligence. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has also pledged its support, emphasizing the relevance of the recommendations to its mandate.