President John Dramani Mahama has begun a visit to flood-affected communities in the Hohoe Municipality to express his condolences and assess the situation. During the visit, President Mahama is expected to present relief items to affected residents. The flooding occurred last Monday, September 28, resulting from the overflow of the River Dayi following heavy rainfall in parts of the Volta Region.
The flooding has displaced 5,140 residents and affected 412 houses in various communities, including Bla, Galikorpe, Zongo Nima, Martvin Down, Segbedenu, Water Ways Down, Kpoeta, Atabu, Kledzo, and Panic Site. In response, security agencies and emergency response teams mobilized to evacuate residents from high-risk areas and relocate displaced persons.
The MP's office, the Hohoe Municipal Assembly, NADMO, individuals, and organizations have provided blankets, rice, tinned fish, cooking oil, and other essential household supplies to the affected residents. This outpouring of support aims to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the disaster.
Ghana has been battling severe flooding whenever there are heavy rains, particularly in Accra. According to NADMO, the problem results from poor hygiene practices and poor drainage infrastructure. The organization has identified a lack of drainage in some communities, filth, and engineering defects as contributing factors.
President Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling Ghana's persistent flooding challenges by ordering the demolition of illegally constructed buildings blocking waterways. He blamed the increasing flood disasters on poor urban planning and unauthorized developments in wetlands, waterways, and Ramsar sites.
Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, revealed that approximately six billion dollars would be required to implement a comprehensive national flood control programme. He cited both natural and human-induced factors as contributing causes of flooding and described it as one of Ghana's most persistent and destructive hazards.
The government's efforts to address flooding include improving drainage systems, strengthening community preparedness, and implementing green and nature-based solutions. The Ministry is working with private sector partners to initiate pilot projects in selected river catchments to serve as models for future interventions, including the ongoing Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) project.
Key points
- President Mahama visits flood-affected communities in Hohoe to present relief items.
- Ghana's flooding challenges are attributed to poor urban planning and unauthorized developments.
- The government requires approximately six billion dollars to implement a comprehensive national flood control programme.
