It came as no surprise to me when the Mayor of Accra, Dr. Alfred Vanderpuye, acknowledged soberly that previous attempts to forestall the havoc that have been visited on many parts of Accra after every downpour have not been too beneficial. The most publicized method of reducing the effects of the flood has been the demolition of houses on water ways but time has proven that this approach has failed us.
Inasmuch as I support the demolition of houses and other unapproved structures constructed in water ways and within the boundaries of reserved spaces, it is equally tenable for our city authorities to shift focus to other areas that would support the demolition exercise not as an end in itself but as a means to achieving the ends of reducing the floods and their effect in the capital and many parts of the country.
Taking some parts Accra for instance, it is incumbent upon our engineers, planners and city authorities to revisit the numerous abandoned drain and gutter construction projects in the capital.
Taking the Alajo-Avenor Junction drains for instance, it is clear that that project is yet to be complete yet three (3) rainy seasons have come and gone. Coupled with the neglect of these projects ( due to the lack of funds, I believe) is the more hydra-headed human problem of the dumping of all manner of sewage and solid waste into these drains that only chokes and blocks free passage of rushing water down these drains. The chokes become barriers that divert the water to other supple areas thus destroying anything lying in its wake.
Many of the drains like the Odorna-Grapic Road- Korle Gonno channel, is choked with all manner of materials notably plastic and braids.
De-silting of these huge drains might be an option but I am not sure it would be a workable option since we are already caught up in the season.
Again, I think the National Disaster Management Organization is gradually turning herself into a “Relief Management” body instead of refocusing on supporting educational campaigns by other related agencies before, during and after the rainy seasons.
NADMO must be proactive, rather than lying in wait for disaster to strike before they make a move in the distribution of beddings, toiletries, tents and roofing sheets to disaster victims.
We can do better as a nation if we take advantage of the off season to engage in vigorous education exercises to alert the citizenry of their core duties and responsibilities in helping curb the effects of the flood.
Furthermore, it is equally incumbent on our courts to expedite action on the numerous cases and injunctions brought before it by property owners who are resisting attempts by the state to move their property off these water ways so that a more comprehensive plan for the construction of drains can be executed.
What would it profit the state to pull down houses built in water ways only to deposit the rubbles in situ for it to block these water ways all over again? Soon after the demolition, the water ways must be property demarcated and drains constructed to create a more visible course for water to flow in these areas.
Once the drains have taken over the places of the demolished buildings, I wonder who would want to build in these same places again, thus solving this problem once and for all.
The Nima drain that runs along the Kawukudi Junction area must be given serious attention by the city authorities. It is about time a proper drain is constructed through that area. What exists there is a health threat to many indigenes of the area.
What has become of the Isreali Company that introduced the bio-degradable technology aimed at curbing the plastic menace in the capital?
I cannot tell what has become of that project as of now. I hope we would query the AMA to speak to this matter as a socially accountable institution.
I understand Rwanda has actually banned the use of plastic products and thus Rwanda happens to be one of the cleanest nations in Africa. I believe we can learn some useful lessons from them.
We must act responsibly as a people even as we breathe fire down the neck of government to solve this perennial flooding problem.
Let us play our part and desist from engaging in those acts that only aggravate the already existing problems while we demand urgent action from government.
What more can we not do to build a better Ghana?
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