The government has launched a major flood mitigation exercise in Accra, involving the dredging and desilting of waterways, dams and drainage channels, as well as the demolition of structures obstructing the natural flow of stormwater.
The phased operation is being carried out by the government’s Flood Mitigation Task Force as part of efforts to reduce the risk of flooding across the Greater Accra Region and prevent a recurrence of the devastating floods recently recorded in several communities.
The exercise is being led by Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Stan Xoese Dogbe, and the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, with support from the Coordinator of the Flood Mitigation Task Force, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah.
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The operation is also receiving support from the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Army Headquarters, Major General Annan Glover, and the Commander of the Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General Richard Kinny.
Tesa Dam dredging begins after demolition of illegal structures
The first phase of the Accra flood mitigation exercise began at New England, behind the Airport Hills and Mayfair Garden Estates, before moving to the Tesa Dam in East Legon and Oyarifa.
At the Tesa Dam, located near Boundary Road in East Legon, the Flood Mitigation Task Force demolished structures constructed along the banks of the dam.
Authorities said encroachment had narrowed the natural waterway, while illegal retaining walls and other unauthorised developments had further restricted the movement of water.
The situation was compounded by indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste and other activities by squatters living around the dam, resulting in heavy siltation of the reservoir and its drainage channels.
Before the demolition began, the commanding officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Osei Amponsah, addressed residents affected by the exercise.
He explained that the operation was aimed at restoring the waterway and reducing the risk of flooding. Residents were allowed to remove their belongings before the demolition exercise commenced.
Following the demolition, the task force immediately began dredging the Tesa Dam to remove accumulated silt and restore its capacity to retain floodwaters.
The Tesa Dam serves as a retention basin designed to temporarily store stormwater during periods of heavy rainfall before releasing it gradually into the drainage network.
However, years of siltation, encroachment, and indiscriminate waste disposal have significantly reduced its capacity.
The ongoing dredging of the Tesa Dam is therefore expected to restore its flood-control function and improve the free flow of stormwater, helping to protect communities around East Legon, the Motorway and surrounding areas.
Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, Coordinator of the Flood Mitigation Task Force, said illegal developments had severely restricted the natural flow of water.
“The problem is that because people have built in this area, the channel has been narrowed. Water is therefore not able to flow freely to the holding area downstream, where it is supposed to be collected,” he explained.
“Since the channel is blocked, the area cannot take in enough water. The water backs up, causing the surrounding communities to flood.”
He said the government’s flood mitigation measures would not end with the demolition of structures.
According to him, the task force will clear demolition debris, dredge affected waterways and establish buffer zones to prevent future encroachment.
“We will also ask the assemblies to monitor the area so that whenever anyone attempts to encroach on it, immediate action is taken,” he added.
Year-round desilting
The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, said the desilting of drains and waterways across Ghana would become a continuous exercise following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.
He said the government would continue the exercise throughout the year instead of limiting flood mitigation activities to the rainy season.
“The President has directed that this should be an ongoing exercise. So, you are not just seeing us here today, and that will be the end of it,” the minister said.
“After the demolitions, we will continue dredging throughout the year so that whenever it rains, the water will have enough space to collect. It will be a year-round exercise.”
The minister said the government’s objective was to ensure that the scale of flooding recently experienced in parts of the country would not be repeated.
Oyarifa and Mayfair Gardens also targeted
The Tesa Dam operation follows similar enforcement actions undertaken by the Flood Mitigation Task Force in Oyarifa and around the Mayfair Gardens area.
In Oyarifa, the task force demolished a block of apartments constructed directly over a natural waterway, obstructing the movement of water.
Authorities said the watercourse had also been diverted by developers, disrupting the natural drainage system and increasing the area’s vulnerability to flooding.
The task force subsequently removed the obstructions and other inappropriately sited structures to restore the natural channel and improve water flow.
Around the Mayfair Estates, a concrete-reinforced bridge constructed by developers and residents was removed after it was found to be obstructing a natural waterway.
Dredging of the channel is currently underway to restore its carrying capacity, while additional structures identified as encroachments on the watercourse are expected to be demolished.
Phase two to cover Weija, Mallam and Laboma
The Flood Mitigation Task Force says the nationwide exercise is focused on restoring the integrity of waterways, improving stormwater drainage and reducing flood risks in vulnerable communities.
The next phase of the operation will focus on Weija, Mallam and the Laboma area, as authorities intensify efforts to address illegal development, siltation and other activities contributing to flooding.
The government says the exercise forms part of a broader strategy to improve flood resilience and ensure that waterways and drainage systems across the country remain capable of handling heavy rainfall.
With the rainy season continuing, authorities are expected to maintain the enforcement and dredging operations in high-risk areas to protect communities and prevent future flooding.