The government’s Flood Mitigation Task Force has intensified efforts to address perennial flooding in Accra by demolishing structures illegally built on waterways while undertaking extensive dredging and desilting of drains in flood-prone communities.
The exercise, led by the Head of the Flood Mitigation Task Force, Brigadier General Forster Okae Yeboah, forms part of a broader strategy to restore the free flow of stormwater ahead of the peak rainy season and reduce the impact of flooding across the capital.
One of the key operational areas is the Tesa Dam along Boundary Road in East Legon, where demolition teams have begun removing structures erected along the banks of the dam.
According to the task force, years of unchecked encroachment have significantly narrowed the natural watercourse, obstructing the movement of stormwater and increasing the risk of flooding in nearby communities during periods of heavy rainfall.
In addition to the demolition exercise, engineering teams are dredging drains and desilting water channels to improve their capacity and facilitate the efficient discharge of stormwater.
Speaking during the operation on Friday, July 25, Brigadier General Okae Yeboah said the intervention was designed to tackle the root causes of flooding rather than simply responding to its effects.
He explained that removing structures blocking waterways and clearing silted drainage channels would restore the natural flow of water and reduce the vulnerability of communities to flooding.
Brigadier General Okae Yeboah noted that the operation would extend beyond the Tesa Dam area, with similar exercises planned for other flood-prone communities across the Greater Accra Region.
He said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader flood prevention programme, which combines strict enforcement against illegal developments with engineering interventions to improve drainage infrastructure and protect lives and property during the rainy season.
