…during flood management initiatives in Accra
Dredge Masters Limited, a part of the Jospong Group, has received significant acclaim from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing for its continuous dredging activities in Accra’s Odaw River and Korle Lagoon.
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during an inspection visit in Accra, the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Vincent Asamoah Oppong, conveyed his contentment regarding the firm’s advancements, highlighting their approval of the current dredging activities taking place at both the Odaw and Korle Lagoons.
As part of Parliament’s initiative to oversee flood management strategies before the anticipated intense rainfall in the country’s capital, Accra, this year, they conducted a site visit.
“So far, you (referring to Dredge Masters) are performing exceptionally well, and we are greatly impressed by your efforts,” he happily stated.
Nevertheless, he called upon the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and specifically the Mayor of Accra to promptly address the city’s recurring flood issues as the rainy season approaches.
Hon. Asamoah Oppong emphasized that “Given the imminent arrival of the rainy season, it is crucial for the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and notably the Mayor of Accra, to take prompt action to address these issues.”
Serious attention must be paid to sanitation, and those who intrude must be moved. We can’t just respond after problems occur. Instead, we need to take action beforehand to protect lives and minimize financial harm caused by floods,” he stated firmly.
Once more, he emphasized the significance of law enforcement involvement and the duty of local governments in tackling the root causes of flooding.
“The district and municipal assemblies are key players in this. Issues of sanitation and encroachment fall squarely within their jurisdiction. Ghana has good environmental and sanitation laws, but our biggest problem is enforcement. Along this river (Odaw River), for instance, there are numerous encroachments, and from what we have been told, some of these individuals were even compensated to vacate but they still remain here,” he noted.
He also highlighted an operational hurdle that might jeopardize the whole dredging operation.
“The sediment extracted from the canals is presently accumulating along the riverbanks. Should these regions stay inhabited or neglected, they might wash back into the channels during rainfall, thus nullifying the whole effort. Dredging aims to clean out waterways and avoid floods; hence this would counteract those goals,” warned Hon Asamoah Oppong.
Mr. Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah, who represents Techiman South as an MP and serves on the committee, also voiced worry about the rising frequency of intrusions into river areas.
“It’s concerning to observe individuals constructing buildings in areas prone to flooding, even with multiple warnings. This poses significant risks. There needs to be a shift towards valuing human safety over unauthorized building projects. When floods claim lives and damage property, the government has to allocate substantial resources toward aid and rebuilding efforts. Consequently, finances that could have been invested in education, healthcare, and critical public services end up being diverted for these recovery initiatives,” he pointed out.
He, therefore, called for urgent and strict enforcement of planning and sanitation regulations by city authorities.
Throughout the tour, the Committee noticed that sediment extracted from the canals whilst dredging was provisionally placed alongside the waterways, waiting for removal.
Nevertheless, due to intruders taking up the area, there was a significant risk that the sediment might get flushed back into the drainage systems during intense rainfall, thereby making the whole endeavor pointless.
The committee stressed once again that this issue needs immediate attention. “It is not acceptable for all our efforts and investments to be wasted.”
If the silt returns to the canal, it undermines the objective of dredging. It is crucial for entities like the MMDCEs, particularly the Mayor of Accra, to swiftly implement appropriate actions,” Hon. Asamoah Oppong reiterated later.
Previously, Ing. Samuel Borquaye, who oversees dredging operations for Dredge Masters Limited (DML) at both the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon, stated that the firm was conducting maintenance dredging activities in the Odaw River.
“We began at Caprice and have now arrived at Circle, and from this point, we will head toward Korle Lagoon,” he revealed.
His aim was to clean out the canals to avoid flooding during the monsoon season, particularly due to the predicted intense rainfall for this year.
He pointed out several major issues impacting their operations, notably the random disposal of waste by locals into the canals.
“This complicates the dredging process beyond what it ought to be. We must alter our approach to waste management,” he deplored.
Engineer Borquaye likewise shared his ambition of converting the region into a welcoming destination for tourists.
“Through adequate planning and funding, this area has the potential to become an attractive destination for tourists. However, achieving this requires us to revisit our strategies and focus on improving both infrastructure and public conduct. We believe that once the dredging is finished, we can considerably lower the flood risks and safeguard people’s lives and possessions,” he suggested.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
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