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The President, John Dramani Mahama, yesterday embarked on a tense inspection tour of flood-prone areas in the capital, where illegal constructions on wetlands and watercourses have worsened flooding, leaving communities submerged each rainy season.
He visited critical areas, including the Abofu Achimota Bridge, Mallam Junction and the notorious Odawna drainage basin at Circle.
With the President on the tour were the Greater Accra Regional Minster, Linda Akweley Ocloo; the Minister of Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, and the Chairman of the Anti-Flood Task Force, Deputy Chief of Staff Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, as well as officials from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Visibly furious at the sight of blocked drainage systems and buildings erected on what were once natural bird sanctuaries, the President issued a stern directive for the immediate demolition of all structures obstructing watercourses.
At each stop, President Mahama’s frustration grew as he observed how unchecked construction and choked drains had turned once-free-flowing watercourses into death traps.
“This is unacceptable,” the President declared, his voice firm with resolve.
“These wetlands were nature’s way of protecting us.
Now, because of greed and negligence, people are building on watercourses and, when the rains come, innocent lives are lost and homes are destroyed. This must stop.”
To enforce compliance, President Mahama ordered the Greater Accra Regional Minister to collaborate with the military and other security agencies to demolish all illegal structures obstructing drainage paths.
President Mahama conferring with Linda Ocloo (left), Greater Accra Regional Minister, and Theresa Awuni (right), MP for Okaikwei North Constituency, during the inspection of the Achimota storm drain
At the wetlands behind the Mallam Market—a designated Ramsar site—Caitec Motors illegally filled the area and began constructing walls. In response, the President ordered the company to bear the cost of removing the silt and restoring the site.
The move, though drastic, is seen as necessary to prevent a repeat of past flooding disasters that have claimed lives and destroyed property.
“We cannot allow a few individuals to endanger entire communities,” President Mahama said.
“Those who have built on watercourses have been served notices before. Now, the time for warnings is over.”
Mr Dogbe, who is leading the government’s flood prevention efforts, firmly dismissed the developers’ attempts to justify their work on the wetland and reiterated the need for compliance.
Last Month, the anti-flood task force he leads commenced operations with a helicopter reconnaissance mission to assess high-risk flood areas, including Weija, the Sakumo Ramsar site, the Tema Fishing Harbour and other locations.
The aerial recce was conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Hydrological Department, providing a comprehensive view of drainage challenges and structural weaknesses in flood-prone areas.
With dark clouds already gathering over the city, signalling the approach of another rainy season, President Mahama stressed the urgency of completing ongoing drainage projects.
He inspected the Accra Academy main drain system, a critical channel meant to divert floodwaters from areas such as Kaneshie and Bubuashie and urged contractors to accelerate their work.
“Every day counts,” the President said, stressing that: “If we delay, the same suffering will return.”
He also called on Dredge Masters, the company responsible for desilting major drains, to intensify efforts and ensure watercourses are cleared before the heavy rains begin.
Beyond government action, President Mahama appealed to residents to take responsibility for their environment.
He expressed frustration at the reckless disposal of waste, particularly plastic, which clogs drains and exacerbates flooding.
“We must change our habits,” he urged.
“Throwing rubbish into gutters is an invitation to disaster. Let’s keep our drains clean and report those who flout the laws.”
The President’s directive is part of a broader strategy to tackle Accra’s chronic flooding, which has, for years, disrupted lives and economic activities.
While demolitions may spark controversy, the government insists that public safety must come first.
For thousands of residents in flood-prone communities, the President’s tough stance offers a glimmer of hope—that this time, the coming rains may not bring the same devastation.
