ActionAid Ghana and Partners, UN-Habitat and Habitat for Humanity Launch Landmark Climate Resilience Project to Safeguard Coastal Communities in Anloga and Ada

ActionAid Ghana, in partnership with UN-Habitat, Habitat for Humanity International, and the University of Twente, has launched a transformative initiative to strengthen the resilience of Ghana's coastal communities against the escalating climate crisis.

The project, titled "Improving Resilience of Coastal Communities in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana," is funded by the Adaptation Fund and was officially unveiled in Anloga, in the Volta region on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. In his keynote address, John Nkaw, the Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, spoke candidly about the threats facing Ghana's 550-kilometre coastline. He stated that;

"Our coastal communities are on the front lines of this crisis. Rising sea levels, tidal waves, recurrent flooding, and coastal erosion are not just statistics; they represent immediate and devastating threats to lives and livelihoods, a more reason why ActionAid Ghana is onboard to help support women, children and persons living with disabilities" he stated.

 A Crisis in Numbers 
The urgency of the challenge is clear, supported by alarming evidence: 
- Ghana loses an average of 2 meters of coastline each year, with erosion hotspots like Fuvemeh experiencing losses of up to 8 meters annually.
- The World Bank estimates that over 7,000 hectares of coastal land have already been lost, displacing families and undermining livelihoods. 
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that 37% of Ghana's coastline is severely threatened by erosion and flooding. 
- In 2021 alone, tidal waves displaced more than 4,000 residents in the Keta and Anloga districts. 
- The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) projects that 1.2 million Ghanaians are at risk of displacement if sea levels continue to rise. 
- By 2050, the Ghana Statistical Service forecasts annual economic losses of up to $1.3 billion due to climate-induced flooding and sea-level rise.These figures represent real human lives, families torn apart, and entire communities on the brink of extinction. Women, children, and smallholder farmers face the most severe consequences.”

Community-Driven Solutions
ActionAid Ghana will lead Component 2 of the project, focusing on 11 highly vulnerable coastal communities across Greater Accra and the Volta Region. These communities include Agorkedzi/Atiteti, Agbledomi, Dzita, Tegbi, Woe, Lagbati/Lashibi, and Whutti (Anloga District); Azizanya/Kewunor (Ada East District); Akaplabanya, Wokumagbe, and Goi (Ada West District). The project is estimated at a value of 3.2 million dollars for a-34-month duration. However, ActionAid Ghana's secured a total fund of 2.74 million dollars to run the project in Ghana. The project is anticipate to implement the project in the next 16 months with a possible extension. 

The interventions will focus on three key pillars: 
1. Early Warning Systems (EWS): Empowering communities to predict and respond effectively to climate hazards. 
2. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Restoring and protecting ecosystems, such as mangroves, to serve as natural barriers against flooding and erosion.
3. Climate-Resilient Livelihoods: Equipping women, youth, and smallholder farmers with sustainable livelihood options to withstand environmental shocks.

Partners Call for Collaboration 

Participants at the launch shared their challenges in the project communities, disclosing their excitements about this intervention. 

Mouhamadu Diene, the Regional Project Coordinator at UN-Habitat, emphasised the importance of community involvement in the project. "The success of this initiative relies on community ownership. We encourage the people, especially women, to embrace and support these interventions as they directly benefit their livelihoods," he stated. 

Alioune Ndiaye, Interim Chief of Party at Habitat for Humanity International, urged stakeholders to provide robust institutional support. "ActionAid Ghana is taking a critical lead in ensuring climate justice.To fully realise the benefits of this project, we need all stakeholders—government, civil society, and communities—to stand firmly behind them," he urged.

35 Years of Impact, A Future of Justice 

As ActionAid Ghana celebrates 35 years of promoting social justice and community empowerment. This new project reinforces its enduring mission to defend the vulnerable, restore dignity, and build resilience.