The Flood Mitigation Task Force has identified several buildings obstructing natural waterways in Damfa, Oyarifa and around the Tesa Dam near Boundary Road for demolition as part of efforts to reduce flooding in the Greater Accra Region.
The decision followed an inspection of key water retention ponds and flood-prone communities led by the Chairman of the Task Force, Brigadier General Forster Okae Yeboah.
The inspection team included Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Stanislav Dogbe, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing Kenneth Adjei, and the Commander of the 15 Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General Richard Kinney.
During the tour of Oyarifa, the task force found that a developer had constructed apartment buildings directly on a natural waterway, obstructing the free flow of water. Officials also discovered that another developer had diverted the natural course of water uphill, a move they said significantly heightens the risk of flooding in the area.
Speaking during the inspection, Mr Adjei stressed the need to address human activities contributing to flooding, particularly the construction of buildings on waterways.
“What I mean by the behavioural part is where people have built in waterways. The last time, during the press conference, the General mentioned that in places that we need to demolish, we have to,” he said.
Referring to the recent floods that affected parts of Accra, the minister said the government was determined to prevent a repeat of the disaster.
“We all know what we witnessed a few weeks ago. We don’t want it to happen again. So when we get there, we need the full support of Ghanaians,” he said.
The planned demolitions form part of a broader flood mitigation strategy aimed at restoring natural drainage channels, improving water flow and reducing the impact of flooding in vulnerable communities across the Greater Accra Region.
