The Ga East Municipal Assembly has announced that it will begin demolishing structures built on waterways from today, Thursday, July 16, as part of measures to reduce flooding and improve drainage within the municipality.
The exercise follows the recent floods in parts of the Greater Accra Region, which claimed 11 lives and caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure, including communities within the municipality.
Speaking during an inspection tour by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, the Assembly’s Environmental Health Officer, Ing. Charles Asabreh, said all affected property owners and occupants had been notified in advance and given time to vacate the areas earmarked for demolition.
According to him, the operation forms part of a broader flood prevention strategy aimed at restoring natural waterways and preventing future disasters.
Ing. Asabreh explained that the Assembly has already intensified several drainage improvement projects across the municipality.
These include dredging streams, desilting choked drains, clearing blocked culverts and removing accumulated refuse that obstructs the free flow of stormwater.
He noted that inspections carried out by the Assembly revealed that several makeshift structures had been erected directly on waterways, obstructing drainage channels and increasing the municipality’s vulnerability to flooding during heavy rainfall.
The Assembly believes removing the illegal structures will restore the natural flow of water and significantly reduce the risk of floods in affected communities.
The planned demolition exercise is one of several interventions being implemented following the recent floods, which exposed the dangers of uncontrolled development along watercourses.
The Local Government Minister’s visit formed part of government’s ongoing assessment of flood-affected communities and efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience across the Greater Accra Region.
Authorities have repeatedly warned residents against constructing buildings on waterways and other unauthorised locations, stressing that such developments contribute significantly to flooding by blocking drainage systems and restricting the movement of water.
The Ga East Municipal Assembly has urged residents to cooperate with officials during the exercise and comply with planning regulations to help protect lives and property.
