The Anti-Flood Taskforce, led by Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Stan Dogbe, has conducted an aerial reconnaissance of Accra as part of efforts to mitigate flooding ahead of the rainy season.
The taskforce, set up by the President, includes key members such as Marietta Brew, Legal Counsel to the President and Secretary to the Taskforce; Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister for Water Resources, Works & Housing; Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government; DCOP Abdul Osman Razak, National Security Coordinator; and the Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
During the aerial inspection, the team assessed drainage systems and identified problem areas, including heavily silted drains requiring urgent attention.
Stan Dogbe explained that the President established the taskforce to find practical solutions to Accra’s recurring floods.
“The President, concerned about the perennial flooding situation, decided to set up a special taskforce to start work to at least try and reduce, if not prevent, flooding, particularly within the Accra metropolis as we prepare for the rains,” he stated.
He added, “Our job is to identify challenges, such as choked drains that need desilting and blocked channels that prevent rainwater from flowing into the sea. Where there are problems, we will explore engineering and mechanical solutions.”
The taskforce, in collaboration with the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Local Government Ministry, will commence immediate desilting of drains across Accra.
Minister for Water Resources Kenneth Gilbert Adjei stressed the urgency of clearing the Odaw River, one of the most affected areas.
“From the exercise, we realised that the Odaw is heavily silted, and as a ministry, we will take urgent measures to desilt it before the rains start,” he said.
Minister for Local Government Ahmed Ibrahim also highlighted the role of human activities in worsening the problem and called for strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
The taskforce aims to implement long-term flood mitigation measures while ensuring immediate interventions to protect lives and property.
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