In a proactive move to brace for the upcoming rainy season and mitigate the potential risk of flooding, Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has issued a directive urging the Ghana Hydrological Authority to expedite drainage works nationwide. The aim is to minimize the adverse impact of heavy rains on flood-prone communities across the country.
This directive came during Minister Oppong Nkrumah’s inspection of ongoing dredging works on the Odaw River Basin and flood mitigation measures in various communities, including Alogboshie, Kasoa-Iron City, and Weija, on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
“For us, one of the key things is the speed of work. We want to be clear that our contractors need to ensure that they deliver on time or sometimes as quickly as possible ahead of schedule,” stated Minister Oppong Nkrumah.
Accompanied by key officials from the Ministry and its agencies, including Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfoh, Project Coordinator at GARID, and Dr. John Kisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Hydrological Authority, Minister Oppong Nkrumah assessed the progress of various drainage projects in Accra. These projects, under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) and the Ghana Hydrological Authority, are focused on addressing recurring flooding challenges, particularly in the capital.
Under the government’s National Flood Control Programme (NFCP), drainage and desilting works are being carried out in beneficiary assemblies in the Greater Accra Region, with about GH₵450 million committed to date. Minister Oppong Nkrumah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling flood risk and enhancing infrastructure and services in affected communities.
During the inspection, it was observed that dredging works on the Odaw River had been ongoing for about two weeks, with Dredge Masters tasked with removing solid waste materials along a 10-kilometre stretch of the river. This initiative aims to improve flood risk management and solid waste management in communities within the Odaw River Basin.
Additionally, construction of storm drains is underway in various communities as part of GARID’s Community Upgrade Program. These projects encompass the construction of storm drains, improvement of access roads, expansion of water supply, and provision of street lights to bolster resilience to flooding and enhance overall infrastructure.
Minister Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the importance of engaging affected persons to ensure they are duly compensated during ongoing construction works. He stressed that while the government is committed to mitigating flooding risks, it must not come at the expense of rendering people homeless without proper compensation.
Furthermore, the Minister underscored the need for beneficiary assemblies to take responsibility for the regular maintenance of drainage systems once completed. He emphasized that regular desilting is crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of drainage infrastructure and mitigating flood risks in communities.
To institutionalize this maintenance effort, Minister Oppong Nkrumah announced plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and local assemblies to ensure the regular upkeep of drainage systems, safeguard communities from flooding, and promote their safety and well-being.
