The Keta Municipal Assembly has held a community engagement at Kedzi to discuss the planned lagoon spillage and other flood mitigation measures aimed at addressing the recurring flooding challenges affecting the community and its surrounding areas.
The engagement brought together the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Wisdom Bondieu Seade; the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Anloga, Hon. Sandar Seyam Kpedor; the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Seth Kpodji; the Management of the Keta Municipal Assembly; traditional authorities; the Assembly Member for the Kedzi Electoral Area, Hon. Sesenu Augustus; opinion leaders; and residents to deliberate on practical and sustainable solutions to the persistent flooding situation.
Welcoming participants, Hon. Sesenu Augustus, Assembly Member for the Kedzi Electoral Area, commended the Municipal Chief Executive for engaging directly with residents on issues affecting their livelihoods. He noted that annual flooding continues to cause significant damage to homes, property, businesses, and public infrastructure. He appealed for sustained government interventions to improve drainage systems, protect vulnerable coastal communities, and strengthen collaboration between the Assembly and residents in addressing the flooding situation.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Wisdom Bondieu Seade explained that the planned opening of the bridge gate is intended to allow excess lagoon water to flow into the sea, thereby reducing flood levels and minimizing the impact on surrounding communities. He assured residents that the exercise would be undertaken in collaboration with technical experts from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and other relevant agencies to ensure that it is carried out safely and effectively.
The Municipal Chief Executive also urged residents to avoid constructing buildings on waterways and to desist from dumping refuse into drains and lagoons, stressing that effective flood management requires a shared commitment between the Assembly and community members.
Residents actively participated in the engagement by raising concerns about the potential impact of the lagoon spillage on fishing activities, the involvement of traditional authorities in the decision-making process, and the need for timely intervention by the Volta River Authority during the opening and closure of the lagoon.
Responding to the concerns, the Municipal Chief Executive assured the community that traditional authorities and all key stakeholders had been adequately consulted and would continue to be involved throughout the exercise. He further emphasized that every effort would be made to minimize any adverse effects on livelihoods while safeguarding lives and property.
Hon. Wisdom Bondieu Seade also announced that the Keta Municipal Assembly would continue to undertake community engagement and public education programmes across flood-prone communities to educate residents on the recommendations of engineers and technical experts and to promote community participation in flood risk reduction efforts.
The engagement concluded with residents expressing appreciation to the Keta Municipal Assembly for creating a platform for dialogue and consultation. Community members pledged their support for environmental sanitation activities and reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Assembly to reduce flooding and build more resilient communities.
The Keta Municipal Assembly remains committed to implementing sustainable flood management interventions, protecting lives and property, and working closely with stakeholders to enhance climate resilience and safeguard the livelihoods of residents across the municipality. 
