Government prioritises drainage improvements to tackle flooding – Housing Minister

The Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, recently briefed Parliament on the recent flooding incidents affecting various parts of the country.

He noted that both natural and human-induced factors are contributing to the crisis and emphasiSed the government's commitment to enhancing drainage infrastructure to mitigate flooding, particularly in Accra.

The minister described flooding as one of Ghana's most persistent and destructive hazards, often resulting in loss of life, displacement of families, damaged infrastructure, and broader economic disruption.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on June 18, 2025, he mentioned that construction work on the Nima-Paloma to Odaw drains has commenced.

This project, he explained, aims to reduce perennial flooding along the Ring Road, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Adabraka, and Asylum Down.

He noted that several regions, including Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, Northern, and Volta, have recently been affected by floods.

"The floods were triggered by intense rainfall, in some cases exceeding historical averages," he stated.

As part of the government’s immediate response, the minister said the Ministry is focusing on improving drainage systems and strengthening community preparedness.

He also highlighted the ongoing Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development (GARID) project, supported by the International Development Association (IDA), a World Bank subsidiary.

The project aims to improve flood risk management and solid waste management in the Odaw River Basin.

The GARID project includes restoring pumping stations, developing green spaces to serve as buffer zones for floodwater retention, enhancing waste collection services, and building solid waste transfer stations.

The minister estimated that approximately six billion dollars would be required to implement a comprehensive national flood control program.

He therefore called on Parliament, stakeholders, and the general public to support efforts to build sustainable and inclusive infrastructure while protecting the environment.

During his statement on the floor, Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano North and former Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), urged the government to release funds to enable the dredging of flood-prone areas.

He also called for urgent action to address the ongoing tidal wave challenges affecting parts of the Volta Region.

James Agalga, MP for Builsa North, added that the Ministry of Finance should expedite the release of funds to NADMO to support its emergency response efforts.

NAD/MA

Meanwhile, watch as victims of the June 3 disaster decry 10 years of neglect by the state: