The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced plans to dredge the Tano River and reinforce vulnerable sections of its banks to prevent a recurrence of the devastating floods that recently displaced thousands of residents in Samreboi in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region.
The planned intervention follows an assessment by the Authority after torrential rains caused the Tano and Samre rivers to overflow their banks, inundating large sections of the community, destroying homes and forcing many residents into temporary shelters, including churches and classrooms.
Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Prof. Nana Ama Brown Klutse, said the Authority’s assessment revealed that the integrity of the riverbanks had been compromised, leaving the community at risk of further flooding if heavy rains persist.
She explained that the EPA intends to dredge silted sections of the river to improve water flow and reinforce the banks closest to the community with concrete retaining walls.
“We have seen that the integrity of the banks has already been compromised. Any further rain could cause another flood. We want to dredge the blocked sections of the river and restore the banks with concrete walls, especially the sections close to the community, to prevent future flooding,” she said.
Prof. Brown Klutse reiterated that mining and other activities within river bodies remain illegal and warned that such practices must cease as efforts continue to restore the Tano River and reduce the risk of future disasters.
Meanwhile, a resident, Ebenezer Ackah, attributed the severity of the flooding to years of human activities that have obstructed natural waterways.
According to him, drainage channels constructed decades ago to divert excess water away from the community have gradually become clogged, while illegal mining along the riverbanks has further worsened the situation.
Mr. Ackah also alleged that portions of land that previously served as natural buffer zones had been allocated for development, increasing the community’s vulnerability to flooding. He called on the EPA to work closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to protect flood-prone areas and prevent further encroachment.
Residents affected by the floods say they are still struggling to recover after losing their homes and belongings.
One resident recounted that floodwaters entered her home in the early hours of the morning, forcing her family to flee with only a single bag. When they returned after the waters receded, they discovered extensive cracks in the building, rendering it unsafe for habitation.
The family is currently sheltering in a classroom and has appealed to the government for assistance.
With July typically bringing heavy rainfall, residents are urging authorities to fast-track the dredging of the Tano River and the reinforcement of its banks to minimise the risk of another devastating flood.
