The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has been tasked to spearhead a nationwide post-flood recovery and cleanup operation following the devastating floods of June 29, with authorities warning that structures illegally erected within waterways and drainage corridors could be demolished as part of the exercise.
Addressing the media on Friday, July 3, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, Director General of Joint Operations of the Ghana Armed Forces, said the military will coordinate the nationwide operation under a broader government programme aimed at mitigating the impact of flooding and restoring affected communities.
He said military personnel, engineering units and heavy machinery will be deployed across the country to remove debris, silt, fallen trees and other obstructions from drains, rivers, streams and waterways to improve water flow and reduce the risk of future flooding.
According to him, the operation will also prioritise reopening roads and restoring critical infrastructure damaged by the floods while supporting sanitation and public health efforts to minimise the risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera and typhoid.
The cleanup exercise will be carried out in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Health Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
Authorities further indicated that buildings and other structures found to have been constructed within waterways or designated drainage reservations, and which obstruct flood-control measures, may be removed in accordance with existing laws and directives issued by the appropriate civil authorities.
Residents living in affected communities have been urged to cooperate with security personnel throughout the operation and comply with traffic diversions and safety instructions, as sections of some roads may be temporarily closed to facilitate the exercise.
Government says the nationwide initiative forms part of a wider strategy to strengthen Ghana’s flood resilience through improved drainage systems, stricter enforcement of planning and environmental regulations, and enhanced early warning mechanisms.
Officials have assured the public that the operation will be conducted professionally and in line with the country’s legal framework.
