The government, has since 2018 spent GH¢450 million in tackling flooding in Accra and other parts of the country, Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye has revealed.
According to him, the amount was invested in the 2018 and 2020 National Flood Control Programmes which was aimed at undertaking projects that mitigate flood risks, while increasing the resilience of vulnerable communities.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra yesterday, he said since the inception of the National Flood Control Programme, 370 desilting and 84 drainage channel projects have been completed.
He noted that, 14 more desilting and 118 drainage channel were at various stages of completion.
"The effect of the projects has been the mitigation of flood hazards in beneficiary communities such as Kuntunse Satellite, Achimota Mile 7, Katamanso, Mamprobi, Abeka-Ayigbe Town, Larbadi Olympia, Tse-Addo, TeshieYoomo Specs and Nungua (United Church Area).
Others including Haatso, Madina Firestone, MadinaMayehot, MadinaRedco, MadinaOblogo, Dome Crossing, Santa Maria (Plus FM and Washing) Weija GEICEL, Kasoa Iron City, KasoaObom, Ashaiman and other communities across the country have benefitted from the projects," MrAsenso-Boakye added.
To ensure the impact was experienced in other targeted communities, he said the Ministry and the Ghana Hydrological Authority would follow-up to ensure completion of all ongoing projects under the 2020 National Flood Control Programme.
Additionally, he noted that the Ministry had initiated a process of undertaking economic, environmental and social impact assessment of the completed drainage projects under the National Flood Control Programmes.
Ahead of this year's raining season, Mr Asenso-Boakye said desilting works have been undertaken in selected flood hot spots such as Kasoa Millennium City, Adenta Sakora, Nsakyi, Ablekuma, Dawhyenya and Dome Railway Crossing, New Legon, Santor, Adenta, Sango and Naapladjor Drains.
He noted that the Ministry was engaging the Ministry of Finance to raise the necessary funds to enhance the flood resilience of communities across the country.
Currently, he said the procurement process for the performance-based dredging of the Odaw River was completed and works was expected to commence soon after the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan to compensate individuals that would be impacted by the project.
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Mr Asenso-Boakye said the Ministry was also undertaking interventions including drainage improvement works at Achimota, Nima and Kaneshie to deal with flooding in those areas.
"The procurement process for Drainage Improvement Works at Achimota is far advanced. That for Nima Drainage Improvement Works is in progress, while our technical team is working with the Consultant to finalise the detailed design of Kaneshie.
It is expected that construction of these drainage improvement works will commence in the next few months. The GARID project is also undertaking participatory community upgrade in Aglogboshie and Akweteyman and Nima. We are in the middle of procuring contractors to undertake these projects," he stated.
The Minister expressed concerns about human activities including the filling of water ways for developments saying that "these activities are derailing government's efforts to tackle flooding in Accra especially."
He said in some of the communities including the Kpeshie and Tseaddo areas, the officials of the respective Municipal Assemblies were being threatened by armed men for trying to enforce building regulations.
In response, Mr Asenso-Boakye noted that the Ministry was engaging the Ministry of National Security to support the efforts of the various Assemblies to ensure discipline and enforcement of planning laws.
