President Jerry John Rawlings said on Friday that the Keta Sea Defence Project is a major attempt by the government to tackle sea erosion problem facing major parts of Ghana's coastline.

''The problem goes beyond Keta because it is not only Keta that will be wiped out if the lagoon merges with the sea. Therefore, I cannot answer for people who cannot appreciate what we are doing'', he said.

The President said this when he granted audience to all the 36 chiefs from the Anlo Traditional Council at the Castle, Osu. The chiefs led by Togbi Nyaho Tamakloe, Miafiaga of Anlo, called to express

gratitude to the government for the project and to assure the President that they would co-operate with the authorities to ensure peace and stability before, during and after the December 7 elections.

President Rawlings told the chiefs that there was no need for them to express their gratitude for the long-delayed project. ''It is our duty as a government. You cannot bring water, electricity and other amenities to an area that has no land. So, the land has to be secured first''.

President Rawlings spoke about the election and said ''the integrity of the election must be respected. Nobody should attempt to use fraud or deceit to subvert the process".

He said chiefs and other traditional authorities played a role in ensuring peace and stability in the country over the years. ''We have been through difficult times and it was through your support and wise counselling that we overcame.

"It is my hope that whoever will emerge as president after December 7 will continue to be in touch with chiefs'', the President added.

He appealed to chiefs to help curb the lawlessness in the society especially in the area of land development where buildings are put up so haphazardly that it has become difficult to extend electricity to new settlements.

Togbui Tamakloe said of the Keta Sea Defence Project: "we the chiefs have visited the project site at Havedzi and are satisfied with what is going on. Work has started and it will reach Keta.

"We do not want to talk about electricity and roads for the Keta area because the project is the 'mother of all projects'. As it has started now we are confident it will finish''.

He told the President that when the Keta/Havedzi road is completed the chiefs and people of the area would name it Rawlings Highway. ''At that time you will not be around as President to stop us''.

Mr Nathan Quao, an adviser to the President, said such a huge project would have initial problems but they could be managed. He said the contractors and other parties involved should co-operate with the chiefs to keep the project going so it could be completed on schedule.