Accra, Ghana – The Government’s Flood Mitigation Task Force has commenced Phase One of its dredging and demolition exercise in parts of the Greater Accra Region as part of efforts to reduce flooding and protect lives and property.
The exercise began in East Legon, New England, Mayfair Estates and Oyarifa, with the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) at the Presidency, Stan Dogbe, joining the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, and senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces to inspect the operations.
The military delegation included Major General Annan Glover, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, Brigadier Richard Kinney, and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Amponsah.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Dogbe said the team engaged residents in the affected communities to explain the importance of the exercise and its long-term benefits.
According to him, the operation aims to reclaim waterways that have been obstructed by illegal structures over the years, while desilting drains and dams to restore their capacity ahead of the rainy season.
“It was important for us to speak directly with affected residents to explain why this exercise matters and the long-term benefits for their own safety and that of their communities,” he stated.
Mr. Dogbe described the exercise as the first phase of a broader flood prevention strategy, revealing that Phase Two will extend to other parts of the Greater Accra Region in collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), in line with directives from President John Dramani Mahama.
He assured Ghanaians that the flood mitigation campaign would not be a one-off intervention but a continuous, year-round exercise aimed at preventing avoidable flooding.
“We make a firm promise that this will be a sustained, year-round effort. We owe it to Ghanaians to protect lives and property from preventable flooding,” Mr. Dogbe said.
He also expressed appreciation to President Mahama, the Chief of Staff, the National Security Coordinator, members of the Flood Mitigation Task Force, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Commanding Officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment, and other state agencies for their commitment to the exercise.
The government has intensified flood mitigation efforts following recent flooding incidents in parts of the country, with authorities focusing on clearing blocked waterways, demolishing illegal structures on watercourses, and improving drainage infrastructure to reduce the impact of heavy rains.
