In a bid to combat the perennial flooding challenges faced by the country, particularly within the Accra metropolis, a team of government officials embarked on an aerial tour of flood-prone areas to assess the situation and identify solutions before the rainy season begins.
The initiative follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama, who, deeply concerned about the flooding situation, set up a special task force tasked with addressing the issue. Deputy Chief of Staff, Stan Dogbe, outlined the purpose of the tour, noting the government’s proactive approach to mitigating flooding across the nation.
“The President, concerned about the perennial flooding situation not only in Accra but across the country, decided to set up a special task force to start work to at least try and reduce, if not prevent, flooding, particularly within the Accra metropolis as we prepare for the rains,” Dogbe said. “Our job is to identify areas with challenges, such as blocked or silted drains, and work on effective solutions.”
The aerial tour was a collaborative effort, with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, as well as the military’s Engineers Brigade, assisting in identifying problem areas. The task force focused on assessing the condition of drainage systems and exploring mechanical and engineering solutions for long-term flood control.
Key Observations from the Aerial Tour
General Richard Kinney, Commander in Charge of the Engineers Brigade of the Ghana Armed Forces, shared insights from the tour, highlighting several areas of concern:
Sakumono: The drainage issues at Sakumono were particularly alarming, with the existing culverts deemed too small to manage the volume of water. These culverts, positioned too high, were causing seawater to flow back into the lagoon. General Kinney emphasized that immediate intervention is needed to prevent flooding in the area during the rainy season. “If we don’t fix this, anytime it rains, the water from the hills cannot be emptied into the sea,” he warned.
Tema Fishing Harbour Area: In this area, the controlled outlet to the sea faces challenges during periods of excess water. Without proper management and monitoring, water is often trapped inland, causing flooding. General Kinney suggested that a solution would require a dedicated presence to monitor and open the outlet as necessary.
Weija: The Weija area’s flooding problem stems from human encroachment on low-lying land. “The only solution is that the city authorities need to prevent people from building in these vulnerable areas,” General Kinney said, noting that when the Weija dam is opened or during heavy rains, flooding is inevitable.
Achimota: The situation at Achimota was linked to the storm drain, which has been in place for many years. The storm drain has been overwhelmed by an increased volume of water from adjoining streams and drains. Part of the storm drain has collapsed, reducing its capacity and increasing the risk of flooding. General Kinney stressed the urgency of addressing this issue.
Hydrological Insights
Officials from the Hydrological Department also provided important observations from the aerial tour. One key takeaway was that many of the streams in Accra are heavily silted, requiring immediate attention. “We’ve been to four basins of the nine in Accra, where we’ve realized that the majority of the streams are heavily silted and need immediate channel deepening and widening,” the official explained. “While we work on long-term solutions, maintenance through desilting and cleaning the drains is critical.”
Ministers Weigh In on the Flooding Solutions
The Minister for Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, noted the particularly concerning condition of the Odaw River, which is heavily silted. He assured that measures would be taken to desilt the river before the rainy season begins. “As a ministry, we are going to take measures to ensure that we desilt the Odaw as soon as possible,” Adjei affirmed.
Minister for Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, emphasized the need for immediate action to address the human-made causes of flooding. He highlighted the role of indiscriminate construction in flood-prone areas and underscored the importance of sanitation. “Most of the problems we are facing are human-made. In all the five zonal areas we toured, there is work to be done,” Ibrahim stated. “Drastic and decisive action has to be taken in the coming days.”
Government’s Commitment to Tackling Flooding
The aerial tour provided vital insights into the challenges facing Accra and other flood-prone areas, underscoring the urgency of addressing flooding ahead of the rainy season. With the government committed to swift action, the task force, supported by key ministries and agencies, will focus on both short-term and long-term solutions, including drain desilting, infrastructure improvements, and stronger regulation to prevent construction in vulnerable areas.
As the rainy season approaches, the government remains focused on protecting lives and property from the devastating effects of flooding, while working to build a resilient urban environment for the future.
By: Shadrack Odame Agyare | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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