NADMO to pull down all unauthorized structures on waterways

The Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, has announced plans to demolish unauthorised structures to tackle perennial flooding across Ghana, specifically in Accra.

In an interview, Dr. Kuyon stressed that effectively addressing the ongoing flooding concerns in the country will necessitate some tough decisions, including the demolition of illegal constructions and the dredging of essential water channels.

“To solve a problem, there must be some discomfort, so people will have to incur some displeasure 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.

He emphasised the importance of restoring natural water flow to prevent severe repercussions for affected areas.

“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 in an interview monitored by The Ghana Report.

Although Accra is often highlighted in discussions about flooding due to the severity of the situation, Dr. Kuyon clarified that other regions in Ghana also face similar challenges.

“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.

In addressing concerns regarding the fairness and technical justification behind the upcoming demolitions, Dr. Kuyon assured the public that the process would be conducted judiciously.

“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.