The government’s Flood Mitigation Taskforce has intensified its nationwide intervention efforts, uncovering serious cases of encroachment on water retention ponds, drainage channels and wetlands in parts of Accra.
The Coordinator of the taskforce, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, together with key government and military officials, inspected several flood-prone areas to assess the extent of damage and identify structures contributing to recurring flooding.
The team, which included Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Stanislav Dogbe, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Kenneth Adjei, and Commander of the 15 Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General Richard Kinney, visited the Tesa dam near East Legon Boundary Road, Damfa, Amharia, Oyarifa and the Kpeshie Lagoon.
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During the inspection of the Tesa dam, officials discovered that years of illegal construction had significantly reduced the size and capacity of the water retention facility.
Several unauthorised retention walls built by encroachers have been marked for demolition, while a nearby slum area filled with wooden structures was identified as both a sanitation and public health risk.
At Damfa, the taskforce found that encroachment had also affected a retention pond, reducing its ability to contain rainwater flowing from the Aburi hills.
The inspection team also uncovered disturbing developments at Oyarifa, where some property developers had allegedly blocked natural water channels by constructing buildings over waterways and diverting the original flow of water.
Authorities have subsequently marked several structures in affected areas for removal as part of efforts to restore natural drainage paths and reduce the risk of future flooding.
The latest operation follows President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, Director General of Joint Operations of the Ghana Armed Forces, to lead an aggressive flood mitigation exercise across the country.
The intervention was launched after devastating floods hit parts of the Greater Accra Region on June 29, leaving widespread destruction in their wake.
Government figures indicate that the disaster claimed 34 lives, affected more than 7,000 households and impacted over 38,000 people, with several homes, businesses and public infrastructure severely damaged.
The Flood Mitigation Taskforce has been mandated to coordinate emergency measures, including the clearing of blocked drains, protection of vulnerable communities and enforcement actions against activities worsening flood risks.
The operation is expected to continue until critical flood-prone areas are secured and measures are implemented to prevent similar disasters in the future.