Source: newsthemegh.com
The Ministry of Works and Housing has noted with concern the increasing risk of flooding in the national capital and other cities.
The widespread flooding experienced recently in Greater Accra has impacted many people adversely. Livelihoods have been lost, properties destroyed and infrastructure damaged. Our hearts go out to all affected persons.
Ghana, like many countries around the world, is experiencing the devastating effects of climate change, which have exacerbated the flooding challenges we face.
Over the years, the country especially some parts of Accra have witnessed the destructive impact of flooding in communities, leading to the loss of fives, displacement of families, and extensive damage to property and infrastructure. These events have left an indelible mark on our nation, and we understand the hardships and suffering endured by those affected. It is our solemn duty to confront this issue head-on and to provide both immediate relief and long-term solutions and the government has taken significant steps in that direction.
Firstly, the government through the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ghana Hydrological Authority has invested GH450m in the National Flood Control Programme. The effect has been the mitigation of flood hazards in beneficiary communities such as Kuntunse Satellite, Katamanso, Mamprobi, Abeka-Ayigbe Town, Labadi Olympia, Tse-Addo, Teshie Yoomo Specs, Haatso, Madina Firestone, Madina Mayehot, Madina Redco, Madina Oblogo, Dome Crossing, Weija GEICEL, Kasoa Iron City, Kasoa Obom among other communities across the country.
Government has further committed GH92m towards the 2023 National Flood Control Programme. This funding will provide critical drainage infrastructure aimed at mitigating the impact of floods on our communities.
Secondly, in collaboration with the World Bank, Government is investing over $200m towards tackling the twin challenge of solid waste and flood risk management through the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project. Flood mitigation interventions in Achimota, Nima, Kaneshie, Alogboshie and Akwetetman as well as the performance-based dredging of the Odaw are expected to commence by the end of this year, following implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan. This project is a vital step towards ensuring the resilience of our capital city, Accra, to future flooding events.
Thirdly, the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rind Development and National Security to prevent the pervasive development in waterways.
These efforts represent government’s commitment to building a more resilient nation while protecting people from the devastating effects of floods. However, the responsibility for flood prevention and mitigation does not rest solely with the government. It is a collective effort, and every citizen has a role to play.
We therefore entreat Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to diligently deliver on their respective development control mandate by preventing the development of buildings in waterways, wetlands, drainage buffers and flood plains among others. Such actions only exacerbate the risk of flooding and put lives in danger.
Furthermore, we invite the Ministry of Roads and Highways and its agencies, the Ghana Highway Authority and Urban Roads to pay more attention to roadside drains and ensure they function effectively. This will help prevent drainage blockages that contribute to flooding during heavy rains.
Finally, our effort cannot succeed without the support of the media in educating the public to desist from conducts such as dumping refuse in drains and unrestrained paving of compounds which worsen the flooding challenge. We therefore urge the media to help in raising awareness and fostering responsible behavior among our citizens.
We acknowledge the suffering that many have endured due to flooding, and we stand with you in solidarity. We remain resolute in our commitment to tackle this challenge and call on stakeholders to join hands with us in building a more resilient nation, and protect lives, livelihoods and property of all Ghanaians.
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Issued by Public Relations Unit
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