Flood Control: Akufo-Addo Invested More Resources Than Any Other Government – Asenso-Boakye
The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has stated that the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has allocated more resources to address flooding and enhance community resilience than any previous government in Ghana’s history.
According to him, this is evident through the implementation of the National Flood Control Programmes (NFCP) between 2018 and 2020. Under this program, the government has invested GHS 450 million, marking the largest funding allocation by a government to tackle flooding challenges in the country. (bolivarescapes.com)
In a statement to Parliament today on measures being undertaken by the sector Ministry to address the perennial flooding, he said that the government’s efforts under the program have led to the initiation of 384 desilting projects and the commencement of construction on 202 drainage channel projects.
“To date, 370 desilting projects, representing 96% have been completed and 84 drainage channel construction projects representing 42% have been completed, with the remaining 118 at various stages of completion,” he said.
The minister highlighted the positive impact of these investments, citing 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 flood 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, Aboabo Drain.”
Asenso-Boakye attributed the increasing risk of flooding in some parts of the country to improper solid waste disposal, disregard for planning rules and regulations, rapid urbanization, and the adverse effects of climate change. This has led to flooding in urban centers like Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Koforidua, and Tamale, which were not historically prone to flooding.
In collaboration with the World Bank, the government is investing approximately $200 million through the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development (GARID) project to reduce flood risks and address solid waste management challenges in the Odaw Drainage Basin.
Financial assistance has already been provided to 17 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Odaw Catchment for desilting key drainage channels.
“The procurement process for the dredging of the Odaw Drainage Channel, Drainage Improvement Works at Achimota, Nima and Community Upgrades in Alogboshie and Akweteyman are almost completed. Construction expected to commence in the third quarter of this year, following the implementation of Resettlement Action Plan,” he added.
Story by Nana Kwaku Boffah
