Government takes measures to prevent perennial flooding at Odawna

Ongoing dredging works at the Odaw river

The Minister of Works, Hous­ing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has hinted that the government is working on strategies to address drainage issues and mitigate the effects of heavy rains, espe­cially around the Odaw River and other vulnerable areas in Accra and across the country.

He said consequently, dredging was going on in both the lower and upper ba­sins of the Odaw River to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding in communities it flows through.

Additionally, he said the ministry had initiated public education campaigns through mobile vans to raise awareness about the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal in drainage systems.

The minister told The Ghanaian Times this on Tuesday. February 18 during a tour of projects and institutions under the ministry.

Adjei acknowledged the challenges posed by the rainy season, particularly in flood-prone areas, and emphasized that poor waste management was a major cause of drainage blockage, which leads to severe flooding during the rainy season.

He, therefore, called on the media to play an active role in educating the public on the consequences of dumping waste in gutters and other waterways.

“Addressing the issue requires collec­tive responsibility. Therefore, I urge ev­ery citizen to adopt better waste disposal habits to prevent floods and protect communities from the devastation that comes with heavy rains,” he said.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s com­mitment to implementing long-term solutions to enhance drainage infrastruc­ture and ensure the safety of residents in flood-prone areas.

Odaw River turned into dumping ground

Meanwhile, The Ghanaian Times report­ers, Raymond Appiah-Amponsah and Eugene Ampiaw, have gone to the extent of providing a report on the state of the Odaw River as it is found at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, the nation’s capital, and some related issues.

The report says the river has turned into a dumping ground for solid waste, including human excreta, at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

It continues that the filth in the river and the stench that emanates from it is a testament to the lack of proper waste management and sanitation practices in the city.

It states that the destitute at the place have been observed defecating openly into the river even in broad daylight.

It adds that vendors in the area have been disposing of waste into the river, resulting in choking and blocking of the water from flowing easily.

The report states that this unsanitary environment has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to an increased risk of malaria transmission in the surrounding communities.

It, therefore, hails the government’s plan to dredge the Odaw River as part of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.

The news report says the dredging and related works would cause some business owners in the enclave to be relocated, and the relocation package has sparked outrage and disappointment.

According to the business owners, the compensation provided by GARID is grossly inadequate, considering the im­pact of relocation on their livelihoods.

GARID compensation

Abena Gyamfuah, a food vendor who has operated her business at a spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange for over a decade, said, “I’m outraged and disap­pointed by GARID’s offer of GH¢3000 as compensation for relocating my business to facilitate the dredging of the Odaw basin. As a single parent of four, my family’s survival depends on me. Losing my customer base and starting all over again will be devastating,” she said.

“The meagre compensation of GH¢3000 is insufficient to help me get back on my feet. We implore the government to intervene on our behalf,” she added.

A draper operating around the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and near the Odaw River, Foster Asante, expressed deep concern that he had not been compensated yet but he had been forced to vacate his shop.

“I have been given warnings to leave the premises for the dredging to take place but I have not been compensated to aid me relocate. I, therefore, urge the author­ities responsible for that to do so.”