Human Activities Undermining Government Efforts To Curb Flooding – Works And Housing Minister

Francis Asenso-Boakye, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama Constituency, Minister for Works and Housing, has expressed great worry about how human activities are seriously obstructing the government’s investments in building flood-resilient communities.

The government has invested Gh450 million in a number of measures over the past five years to strengthen the nation’s ability to withstand flooding. Despite this significant expenditure, human activities substantially reduce their effectiveness in reducing flood threats.

The Minister revealed that during a recent working visit to some flood-prone communities in Accra to assess their level of preparedness, he observed people engaging in activities such as dumping solid waste into drains, building on drainage channels, and filling lagoons and wetlands with construction materials while the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies merely observe without enforcing the appropriate regulations.

When Asenso-Boakye spoke in Parliament today about the steps the sector Ministry is doing to alleviate the nation’s flooding problems, he made these points clear.

The Minister emphasized that citizens must continue to assist the government’s efforts by refraining from development activities within wetlands, waterways, and drainage buffers, exercising caution in managing household solid waste, and avoiding using drainage channels as landfills for trash.

Asenso-Boakye also urged traditional chiefs, religious and community leaders, members of civil society organizations, and the media to support the government’s flood management initiatives.