Government commits GH¢ 450M to flood control
The Government has committed GH¢ 450 million to the National Flood Control Programme to build resilient communities and reduce the occurrence of flooding. This makes it the most substantial investment from the government funding sources dedicated to addressing flooding.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, disclosed this in a statement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Under the programme, 384 desilting projects and 202 drainage channel construction projects were initiated.
“To date, 370 desilting projects, representing 96 per cent have been completed and 84 drainage channel construction projects representing 42 per cent have been completed, with the remaining 118 at various stages of completion,” the minister stated .
Effects
The effects, according to the minister ,has been the mitigation of flood hazards in beneficiary communities such as Kuntunse Satellite, Achimota Mile 7, Katamanso, Mamprobi, Abeka-Ayigbe Town, Labadi Olympia, Nungua (United Church Area), Haatso, Madina Firestone, Madina Mayehot, Madina Redco, Madina Oblogo, Dome Crossing, Weija GEICEL, Kasoa Iron City, Kasoa Obom, Nsuoano stream in Ngleshie Amanfrom and Ashaiman.
Other selected hot spots that are benefitting from the 2020 Programme include Kasoa Millennium City, Adenta Sakora, Nsakyi, Ablekuma, Dawhyenya Dome Railway Crossing, New Legon, Adenta, Sango and Naapladjor Drains, Kakum River, Birim River, Leprosarium Drain, Densu River, Korkordjor River, Owabi River, Sefwi Wiaso, and Aboabo Drain.
Collaboration
Mr Asenso-Boakye said the Ministry of Works and Housing is collaborating with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and the National Security to prevent development in waterways and drainage reservations.
In addition, he said there has been investment in flood mitigations measures under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, as well as collaboration with the Ghana Meteorological Agency, the Water Resources Commission and NADMO towards the issuance of early warning notices.
Cabinet
The minister said Cabinet, at its 47th meeting on March, 25, 2023, considered a report on his inspection of the drainage infrastructure in Accra.
He indicated that Cabinet noted the need to consider flooding in Ghana as a national security issue, since effective law enforcement has a major role to play in addressing the challenge.
“Subsequently, Cabinet constituted a committee to develop a comprehensive plan with appropriate measures to strengthen the enforcement of laws relating to lands and siting of buildings,” he stated .
GARID project
Under the GARID project, he said the government is partnering with the World Bank to invest $200 million towards reducing flood risks and addressing solid waste management challenges in the Odaw Drainage Basin.
He stated that ahead of the rainy season, the project has provided financial assistance to 17 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Odaw Catchment for desilting key drainage channels within their respective jurisdictions. This initiative has contributed to the mitigation of floods by improving the capacity of tertiary drains.
Citizens involvement
Mr Asenso-Boakye implored citizens to support the government’s endeavours by adhering to the rules and regulations governing settlement planning.
Additionally, he said it is essential for citizens to refrain from engaging in development activities within wetlands, waterways and drainage buffers.
