Plans far advanced to curb perennial flooding in Accra – AMA boss

The Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, says the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is preparing for the coming rains to avoid a recurrence of flooding in the city.

His assurance comes on the back of the caution by the Ghana Meteorological Agency indicating that the country is set to experience rains in most areas, accompanied by strong winds this year.

The Mayor, in an interview with Citi News, said the necessary precautionary measures are being put in place.

According to him, most of the storm drains are being desilted by the various assemblies in Accra.

“Generally, we are also looking at preparations towards the rains because Accra is typically lying on low land, so anytime it rains heavily, the downflow of the water gets to Accra, and then, unfortunately, we also experience tidal waves which also blocks the water from entering the sea. Currently, the Korle lagoon is being dredged by Dreg Masters, with funding from the Ministry of Works and Housing, and the storm drains in Accra are also being desilted by the various assemblies.”

“So in terms of preparations on the water bodies, we are far in advance in making sure that the perennial flooding mostly experienced in Accra will be a thing of the past.”

The Mayor also indicated that the AMA will continue to demolish structures built on waterways, and further cautioned persons who throw solid waste into water bodies to desist from such actions.

According to him, these are the only measures by which the issue of perennial flooding can be curtailed.

“We should also be mindful that climate change has also induced and changed the rainfall pattern. The other side is also that people that have built on the waterways. We will continue to pull down those structures but most importantly people who throw solid waste into our drains must also stop.”

—citinewsroom