Atta Akyea reveals anti-flood plans

The Ministry of Works and Housing has revealed plans to tackle the perennial flooding in Accra ahead of the rainy season.

Sector Minister Samuel Atta Akyea said short-, medium- and long-term measures are being rolled out to address the flood problem.

Each year, residents of the capital city welcome the rainy season with fear and apprehension as the slightest of rain leaves a devastating effect on lives and property. The annual ritual of flooding has been attributed in part to choked drains.

Addressing parliament on Wednesday, 7 March 2018, in an answer to a question filed by Adaklu MP, Kwame Agbodza, Mr Atta Akyea noted that GHS5.5million have been allocated to the ministry which will help in the short-term to prevent flooding by dredging the Odaw river.

He said: “Desilting is going on and they are dredging the Odaw River and the rest of them when you take out the filth you have an easy flow, you won’t have this kind of spillover which is always disastrous…

Mr Atta Akyea added that “the Water Resources, Works and Housing ministry, in consultation with the Ministry of Sanitation, Local Government and the MMDAs, have to undertake short- to long-term plans to reduce flooding. Short-term measures include updating the hydro and urban Geographical map and conduct of hydro geological studies on a basin by basin basis…demolishing and removal of buildings on waterways.”