The Ghana Hydrological Authority has revealed that over $6 million is required to implement a comprehensive drainage master plan aimed at mitigating the country’s flooding issues.
According to Ing. Richard Amekor, Head of the Drainage Department, the lack of sufficient resources has hindered the execution of this crucial plan.
During an interview on JoyFM’s News Night on June 13, Ing. Amekor elaborated on the significance of the drainage master plan, which includes the construction of major storm drain systems designed to alleviate flooding.
He emphasized that while the plan itself cannot stop flooding, its implementation is vital for flood mitigation in the city.
“It is not a drainage master plan that has to end flooding, but it is about implementing what is in the drainage master plan. It will mitigate flooding in the city,” he explained.
He pointed out the financial challenges faced, noting that constructing storm drains is highly expensive. Ing. Amekor highlighted that even areas designated for water retention are being occupied, complicating efforts to manage floodwaters effectively.
“It all boils down to resources and you know constructing storm drains is very expensive, and places that are supposed to be reserved, people are living in there. So the resources that we have we are not able to construct storm drains to that effect,” he said. “We have an estimate for countrywide that is going over $6 million.”
In addition to financial constraints, Ing. Amekor cited people’s attitudes as a contributing factor to the persistent flooding. He observed that many individuals continue to build homes in waterlogged areas, exacerbating the problem.
“People are still filling wetlands all around where water could stay or the flood waters when it over-tops the banks could stay for some time. When the rain subsides, it moves back into the stream, but these are places people are continuously filling. When they do that, what happens is that the water cannot move anywhere than to spread into people’s homes,” he stated.
Despite these challenges, there is some optimism. Ing. Amekor expressed hope that by September, a portion of the $150 million allocated to the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development Project (GARIP) would be released.
This funding is expected to enable the commencement of storm drain construction projects, which are crucial for flood mitigation efforts.