Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye on Thursday, June 29, 2023, blamed the delay of government efforts to end flooding on some human activities within flood-prone areas in the country.
The Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Bantama made this comment on the floor of Parliament when he was called upon to brief the House on measures taken to end the everlasting flood problem in the country.
Briefing MPs in the house, the Minister said government has over the years been implementing a comprehensive flood control and management program with various companies.
According to the minister, since 2018 government has invested four hundred and fifty million Ghana cedis into its national flood control program.
He added that 202 drainage channel projects and 384 desilting projects have been initiated with 84 and 370 of the projects respectively have been completed.
With these measures put in place by government, the minister said prior to the start of this year’s rainy season, the ministry led by him together with some technical brains embarked on a working visit to some areas to examine the situation in order to prepare for the rains.
“Mr. Speaker it became more evident that human activities are impeding government’s efforts to stop flooding in these areas. Activities such as building in waterways, throwing solid waste into drainage systems”, the minister noted.
The Minister further stressed that flooding in the capital is considered a national security issue and his Ministry is engaging with other relevant agencies to resolve the issue.
Recent heavy downpours in the capital city, Accra, have seen the destruction of properties and this has been the norm for many years.
