Local authorities in Côte d’Ivoire are set to stabilize the Grand-Lahou sand spit over an 11-month period, concluding in December 2025. A comprehensive awareness and engagement strategy is supporting the project, ensuring community safety and full participation as environmental changes unfold.

Key Project Measures and Community Involvement

• Preliminary Awareness Sessions: In partnership with DREDGING—the company leading the works—awareness activities were held in the villages of Likpilassié, Groguida, Braffedon, and Lahou-Kpanda. These sessions focused on:

  • Presenting the lagoon navigation plan to reduce disruptions to fishing and transport.
  • Informing residents about potential risks and the safety measures being implemented.
  • Introducing a grievance management mechanism to address community concerns.

• Official Launch and Local Authority Engagement: The project was formally launched at the Grand-Lahou town hall. Local authorities, community associations, and religious leaders attended the meeting where project objectives and safety protocols were detailed.

• Traffic Management Collaboration: A dedicated session with transport associations discussed:

  • Strategies for managing road traffic during the project.
  • Implementation of traffic regulations to safeguard pedestrians, especially children.
  • Coordination with law enforcement, including the police commissioner, to reinforce a collective responsibility for safety. Transport representatives expressed their support and commitment to the initiative.

• School Outreach: Recognizing the importance of reaching all community segments, targeted awareness sessions were held in primary schools across Lahou-Kpanda, Groguida, Likpilassié, Braffedon, Agbagnandon, and along Grand-Lahou’s main road. The INSAAC theater troupe led a performance designed to explain the project’s timeline, associated risks, and essential safety precautions in accessible language.

Additional Communication Channels

To broaden outreach, the campaign also featured:

• Radio spots and local station announcements.
• Posters and information boards installed at strategic locations in Grand-Lahou and surrounding villages.

This robust engagement effort is central to ensuring that the stabilization project not only protects coastal infrastructure but also supports the livelihoods and safety of local communities during the transformation process.