Unauthorized Structures to be Demolished to Prevent Flooding - NADMO
Accra, Ghana - 08 April, 2025 - Ghana's government is taking decisive action to combat flooding, particularly in Accra, with plans to demolish unauthorized structures and dredge critical water channels.
This move is part of a broader initiative to restore natural water flows and prevent severe consequences for affected communities.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is leading the charge, emphasizing the need for difficult decisions to address the nation's persistent flooding issues.
“To solve a problem, there must be some discomfort, so people will have to incur some displeasures based on the actions that will be taken to ensure that the rest of us are safe. Some structures will have to be pulled down,” he said.
“Those who have started filling these places will have to stop, and we will dredge these places to restore them to their original state for them to play the role they are supposed to play because the ecosystem is disturbed.
“If you don’t restore it, what it means is that the lives that are in this system will suffer. So, there will be dredging, there will be demolishing, and we have to do it when we have to ensure that the flooding that is envisaged is effectively managed,” he stated.
Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon of NADMO stated in an interview with the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, that addressing the nation's persistent flooding issues would require difficult decisions, including removing illegal structures and dredging critical water channels.
Dr. Kuyon assured that the demolition process will not be arbitrary, with technical experts guiding the process.
“Flooding is not only peculiar to Accra, but it is because we see a serious problem in Accra that is why the conversation is always centred around Accra,” he said.
“We don’t demolish with a layman’s eye. We [have] engineers, technocrats who are going to be part of this team, [and they] are going to advise. Where structures are supposed to be pulled down, they will. Where it is possible to redirect the direction of water, and not necessarily tamper with people’s property, that will be done,” he added.
Source: Lead News Online
