Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Akweley Ocloo, has assured residents that the region is fully prepared to manage any disaster, particularly in light of recent heavy rainfall and flooding.
Speaking on ABC Midday News on Wednesday, she emphasized her administration’s commitment to disaster preparedness and infrastructure improvements.
“I have tasked MMDAs, engineers, and NADMO to provide a comprehensive report on the cost and status of damage in various districts so we can take the necessary action,” she stated.
The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to address flood-related challenges, including dredging and desilting projects.
“There is an ongoing project at Odoona. We are planning to dredge and desilt the area to improve drainage,” she revealed. She also expressed sympathy for flood victims and disclosed that she had visited affected residents in Madina. “I sympathize with the victims,” she said.
Addressing the issue of illegal construction on waterways, Ocloo stressed the need for law enforcement to prevent future disasters. “We have to enforce the law. If we don’t, these drains will continue to be blocked, leading to recurring floods,” she warned. She also urged assemblies to take proactive measures. “We are appealing to the district assemblies to ensure strict compliance with building regulations,” she added.
In addition to flood mitigation efforts, the minister spoke on ongoing streetlight restoration projects aimed at improving visibility and security. “I have worked on 128 street lights within the Greater Accra District,” she confirmed.
She noted that some roads remain without lighting due to ongoing construction but assured that installations would resume once the roads are completed. “All contractors are on-site, and in 50 days, at least 70% of our street lights should be operational,” she promised.
Ocloo also addressed financing for these initiatives, explaining that multiple stakeholders had been engaged to support the projects. “I engaged all my stakeholders—FIDA, Roads and Highways, ECG, and the Ministry of Energy. It’s a contribution from all angles,” she stated.
On sanitation, the minister reiterated the importance of public education and strict law enforcement. She announced the introduction of the Greater Accra Sanitation Day, which was recently held in Madina, and plans to launch a National Sanitation Day in April, to be observed on the last Saturday of every month. “It’s about education to change attitudes. We’ve tasked all district assemblies to ensure the public is well-informed,” she explained. She warned that individuals caught dumping refuse into drainage systems would face arrest. “This practice is a major contributor to blocked drains and flooding in flood-prone areas. We must act now,” she asserted.
Despite the challenges, Ocloo remains optimistic about long-term solutions but emphasized the need for proper leadership before committing to a timeline. “I just want my DCEs in place before we can give any timeline on ending flooding in the district,” she concluded.
