According to the Ministry of Works and Housing, resolving Ghana’s persistent flooding problem will cost the government more than US$5 billion.
Francis Asenso-Boakye, Sector Minister, stated this on Sunday at a Meet the Press session in Accra.
He stated that the government is still dedicated to finding a permanent solution to Ghana’s flooding problem.
“Some studies have been done, and they indicate that to address the flooding issue in the country, Ghana will need about US$ 5 billion to be able to address the flooding challenges across the country. This was done some time ago and so if we have to use it, we have to review it because a lot has happened since then.”
He also stated that the government had built 35 kilometers of drains, with another 1000 kilometers in various states of construction.
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The Minister emphasized that the flood-prone sections of Accra’s capital would have faced bigger threats than it has seen whenever there is a downpour.
He encouraged the MMDCEs to work with the president to dismantle any constructions on waterways.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo directed Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region to remove all constructions on waterways in an effort to eliminate the perennial flooding.
Some, however, argue that this action will have little effect because solving the flooding problem requires more than just demolishing houses on waterways.
“The district assemblies have the powers and we the citizens have to support them so that we can be successful. The President has given the directive and a taskforce has been set up at the office of the President, and I am very hopeful that this directive will be enforced to bring down a lot of structures to mitigate the effects of flooding, especially in Accra.”
After flooding wrecked a number of structures, the arrival of the rainy season has left some homeowners counting their losses.
Because flooding entered their rooms, many in hard-hit regions were forced to flee their houses and seek safety elsewhere.
SOURCE: CITINEWS