President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate demolition of all structures constructed on waterways in the vicinity of Mallam Junction within the Weija Gbawe Municipality.
The President underscored that this action is crucial for alleviating the severe consequences of recurrent flooding that has affected the region for many years, resulting in loss of life and damage to property.
This directive comes in the wake of a recent inspection of flood-prone areas in Accra, during which he consulted with city engineers, municipal officials, and local residents to evaluate the severity of the flooding issue.
During his visit, Mahama voiced significant concern regarding the unchecked construction of buildings and other developments on waterways, which he identified as a primary factor contributing to the frequent flooding in the region.
In discussions with city engineers and municipal officials, President Mahama questioned the reasoning behind permitting residential and commercial developments in natural drainage paths.
He further highlighted the substantial volume of water the Mallam Junction area is designed to accommodate during heavy rainfall, cautioning that inadequate planning and unauthorized construction would only worsen the flooding situation.
“The assembly here, how did you allow this to occur? How could the assembly permit this? This is why you have a chief executive and assembly members. They must be aware of these issues. These are waterways. Can you imagine the amount of water this area can hold during rainfall?
“If you obstruct it and expect a mere drain to manage the flow, that drain will not suffice. Therefore, we must take the necessary actions. All these structures must be removed.”
Flooding continues to be one of the most significant urban challenges in Accra, particularly in low-lying regions such as Mallam Junction, Weija, Odawna, Kaneshie, and Circle.
The ongoing issue has frequently been linked to inadequate drainage systems, careless waste disposal, and, most importantly, the encroachment of buildings and infrastructure on natural floodplains and drainage pathways.
For years, both local residents and environmental specialists have consistently urged the government to take action to resolve this problem.
Nevertheless, in spite of numerous alerts and previous demolition efforts, illegal construction persists, exacerbating the situation.
