Works and Housing Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has openly acknowledged that the government is lagging behind in implementing measures to mitigate the recurring flooding in Accra.
The Ofoase Ayeribi MP shared his concerns on JoyNews’ PM Express, emphasizing the persistent anxiety that accompanies the rainy season due to the inadequate infrastructure currently in place.
“When the rains start here in Accra, you start getting palpitations because you start worrying, knowing very well that due to the inadequacy of the work done so far compared to the increasing pressure, there will be challenges,” Oppong-Nkrumah said.
He stressed the importance of understanding the severity of the flooding situation during heavy downpours and the immediate and medium-term steps needed to address it.
Despite the challenges, the Housing Minister remains committed to improving flood resilience in the capital.
Last week, he initiated the reconstruction of the Nima-Paloma storm drain, which extends from Asylum Down to the Odaw Channel, as part of efforts to bolster flood defenses in communities along the Odaw River basin.
“This significant milestone is expected to help reduce the perennial flooding challenges in Accra and bring much-needed relief to residents, commuters, traders, and businesses,” Oppong Nkrumah stated at the groundbreaking ceremony.
He also revealed that the government’s newly launched Flood Early Warning System is expected to be operational ahead of the next rainy season.
This system, developed in collaboration with the Ghana Hydro Authority, Water Resources Commission, Ghana Meteorological Agency, and NADMO through the GARID Project, aims to provide advanced warnings to residents in flood-prone areas, allowing them to take necessary precautions.
“While structural interventions alone cannot completely eradicate the flooding challenges in Accra, the Ministry of Works and Housing is establishing a flood early warning system for the Greater Accra Region. The early warning system will provide advanced notification of impending floods to residents in flood-prone communities so they can take steps to protect lives and properties ahead of a flooding event,” he explained.
Parliament has approved $250 million for the GARID Project, which focuses on one of the major water channels in the Greater Accra Region. This funding is intended to address previously unfunded parts of the program and cover some price variations.
“The Project deals with one out of about eight or so channels in the Greater Accra Region that convey high volumes of water out of the capital when it rains. That money was supposed to be top-up money to help pay for some previously unfunded parts of the program and to pay for some price variation,” Oppong Nkrumah noted.
In the coming weeks, the Ministry plans to hand over the storm drains in Kaneshie to a contractor to commence work. This area, known for high volumes of water during rains, requires significant upgrades to its drainage system to prevent flooding.
“Kaneshie is one of the areas which has high volumes of water coming in. If you look at the kind of drains that were constructed initially and the technology that was used, it requires some more expansion and depth. If it’s not done, there will be flooding at Kaneshie every time it rains, especially from the bank quarters intersection,” he added.
Additionally, the Ministry plans to construct retention ponds near the Aburi Mountain to hold and manage water flow into Accra.
With these projects and the funding in place, Oppong-Nkrumah is hopeful that significant progress will be made to alleviate the flooding situation in the capital.
