Otumfuo Raises Concern about Flooding in Ghana

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has called for urgent steps to curtail the prevalence of flooding in the country during the rainy season.

The natural disaster ranks as the most prevalent among natural disasters in Ghana and falls behind only epidemics in fatalities caused.

The concern of the King came during a courtesy call by the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on Friday, April 19, 2024.

He was accompanied by Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Works and Housing, Prince Hamidu Armah, Deputy Minister Designate for Works and Housing, Kwabena Ampofo Appiah, the Managing Director of State Housing Company Limited and some staff of Ghana Hydrological Authority.

The Minister officially informed the King about his reshuffle from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Works and Housing and sought his blessing to facilitate the task ahead of him.

“While at the Ministry of Information I resorted to His Majesty for direction whenever I encountered difficulties. He even hosted the maiden edition of the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme and so I had to come here to inform him about my reshuffle to the Ministry of Works and Housing and take his blessings and counsel,” he said in his remarks.

He as well announced to the King, the commencement of a Housing project at Dedesua in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region.

“While going through documents I came across a land you gave the government at Dedesua. State Housing and MD and all relevant stakeholders will commence work there next month,” he added.

The project, the King stated was long overdue while acknowledging financial constraints had hindered it.

He however indicated that it would urbanise the village for investment, jobs and development.

Commending the Minister for his output at the Ministry of Information, Otumfuo expressed confidence in his competence to deliver to expectations at his new position.

Flooding
He further raised concerns about the prevalence of flooding as enhanced by indiscriminate disposal of garbage by residents and called for concerted efforts by relevant stakeholders including the Ghana Hydrological Authority, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA) and the Ministry of Works and Housing in dealing with it.

“Flooding is a major problem in the country. Despite prompt efforts in desilting drains, they get choked always. The staff of the Ghana Hydrological Authority must do something about it because it is unacceptable to desilt and then have the drains choked right after that… And if the Assemblies are also not providing suitable refuse dumps for residents, let us look at that as well.”

“What is the essence of Zoomlion when the government has contracted their services to deal with waste? Throwing waste in drains is the main cause of flooding which causes casualties. The few buildings we have are getting flooded when it rains.”

He thus called for the implementation of punitive measures against persons who are into indiscriminate refuse disposal.

“Some Ghanaians are indisciplined, they throw their garbage anywhere and we tend to blame the government for flooding. The necessary education must be given to the populace…There must also be legislation to punish recalcitrant citizens who decide to throw their garbage in bushy areas. It violates the law. “

Housing deficit
His Majesty also called attention to the housing deficit in the country and urged the Minister to put in place measures that would create a suitable atmosphere for investors and private developers to come in.

Touching on the Saglemi Housing saga, he encouraged Hon Oppong Nkrumah to fashion out means to make the facility functional.

“Saglemi Housing has been an issue of much concern. There has been a public outcry for its abandonment because taxpayers money was used to fund it. Let’s look for ways to make it useful.”