BY VALENTIA TETTEH
Former Minister for Works and Housing and Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has called on the government to provide Parliament with a comprehensive update on the status of major flood mitigation projects inherited from the previous administration, stressing that the fight against flooding must transcend partisan politics.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, June 30, Mr. Asenso-Boakye described flooding as one of Ghana’s most persistent development challenges, saying the recent devastating floods that swept through Greater Accra and other parts of the country underscored the urgent need for sustained investment in drainage infrastructure and urban flood management.
“This is therefore not the time for political point-scoring. Floodwaters do not discriminate; they affect all Ghanaians alike. We must unite around practical and lasting solutions,” he told the House.
The Bantama MP attributed Ghana’s recurring flooding to inadequate drainage infrastructure, weak enforcement of planning regulations, rapid urbanisation, indiscriminate waste disposal and the growing impact of climate change.
According to him, the previous administration invested significantly in flood control interventions, committing about US$540 million under the National Flood Control Programme between 2018 and 2024 to finance drainage construction, rehabilitation and desilting projects across the country. He also noted that the government secured US$200 million, followed by an additional US$150 million from the World Bank, to implement the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye said strategic projects, including the Odaw Drain dredging, Achimota-Abofu Drain, South Kaneshie Drain and Dr. Busia Highway Drain improvement works, were at various stages of implementation before the change of government. He added that the Accra Flood Early Warning System had also been operationalised, while the proposed Atomic East and Atomic West detention ponds had reached advanced design and procurement stages.
He, however, expressed concern over reports that some of the projects had slowed down or stalled and urged the government to update Parliament on their current status.
“I therefore urge the Government to provide this House with a comprehensive update on their status and ensure their timely completion,” he said.
The former Works and Housing Minister stressed that infrastructure alone would not solve the country’s flooding challenges unless planning and environmental regulations were strictly enforced.
He observed that illegal developments within waterways, wetlands and floodplains continue to obstruct the natural flow of water, while indiscriminate waste disposal has significantly reduced the capacity of drainage systems during heavy rainfall. He urged the government to ensure that any policy changes affecting sanitation do not undermine effective waste management.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye further warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, making it imperative for Ghana to invest in climate-resilient drainage infrastructure capable of withstanding future storms.
To strengthen disaster preparedness, he proposed the declaration of a one-week National Flood Emergency Preparedness Exercise to enable Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Hydrological Services Authority, security agencies and other stakeholders to intensify desilting, clear blocked drains, remove obstructions from waterways, pre-position emergency response teams and strengthen public education on flood preparedness.
“Flooding should never become an accepted feature of our rainy season. We know the causes. We know the solutions. What remains is the political will to sustain investment, enforce our planning laws, strengthen sanitation management and promote responsible citizenship,” Mr. Asenso-Boakye stated.
He expressed optimism that with effective collaboration between government, local authorities, communities and citizens, Ghana could significantly reduce the devastating human and economic impact of flooding while building safer and more resilient communities. check grammar errors and is the headline factual