Gomoa Mampong: Several homes flooded after contractor diverts river Ayensu
Over 150 homes and several farmlands in Gomoa Manpong in the Central Region have been flooded due to the Ayensu River diversion by a road contractor.
River Ayensu originates from the Eastern Region and flows through the Kasoa-Cape Coast Highway at Gomoa Okyereko before emptying into the sea.
The contractor, who is working on the dualization of the Kasoa-Cape Coast Highway, blocked the main bridge on the river at Gomoa Okyereko.
This is to make way for the construction of a modern bridge to accommodate the volume of water.
According to residents, the water started spilling into their homes around 2 pm on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
Confirming the situation, Gomoa East District National Disaster Management Organisation (NaDMO) Director Robert Hackman said most of the houses in the community have become inaccessible.
This has forced residents to take refuge in local churches while others are struggling to find a safe place.
He said Gomoa Okyereko and five other communities were also likely to flood.
Mr Hackman added that they have requested assistance from higher authorities.
Meanwhile, the situation has caused the river Ayensu to overflow onto the main Accra-Winneba highway, causing a major disruption to traffic at Gomoa Okyereko.
As a result, many vehicles and commuters have been left stranded.
This destroyed over 100 houses and several properties, leaving residents displaced.
Some residents took refuge in classrooms and churches in the area.
According to the Assembly member for Ankobra Electoral Area, Patrick Assuah, the river would normally overflow its banks any time someone drowned in it or died in the estuary where the river enters the sea.
However, he explained that this incident was unusual.
He added that when the water entered the community, most residents had to run for their lives as some valuables were washed away.