The government is taking immediate action to address the recurring flooding issues along the Kasoa to Winneba section of the N1 highway.
Richard Kofi Amekor, Head of Drainage at the Ghana Hydrological Authority, emphasized the urgency of the situation, leading to the decision to construct a temporary drainage system despite the main storm drain being only 30% complete.
The temporary solution involves creating chambers along the stretch to facilitate water and debris flow during rainfall, aiming to mitigate flooding incidents.
This announcement came during a visit by Minister Francis Asenso-Boakye and a team of engineers to assess the aftermath of recent flooding in the area and identify long-term solutions.
The ongoing construction of a 1.6-kilometre storm drain is part of the comprehensive strategy, with features like sand traps for easier maintenance.
The government plans to ensure regular upkeep through partnerships with municipal authorities once the project is completed, expected within the next 17 months.
There has been heavy traffic between the SCC and Old Barrier stretch since last Monday following a downpour that led to flooding of that section.
Mr Amekor said flooding occurred regularly around the Kasoa Old Barrier because of the large volumes of water from the hills, along with a cache of soil onto the road anytime it rained.
The debris, he said, blocked the flow of water through the drains, and consequently resulted in flooding the area. “There’s an existing pipe which is about 1.2 metres in diameter lying parallel to the road, and we are going to create chambers within this pipe so that when it rains, some of the water can flow through those chambers into the outfall,” Mr Amekor said.