President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive for the immediate demolition of all structures built on waterways in the Mallam Junction area of the Weija Gbawe Municipality.
The order aims to curb the devastating floods that have plagued the area, causing loss of lives and extensive property damage over the years.
President Mahama’s directive follows his recent inspection tour of flood-prone areas in Accra, where he engaged with city engineers, municipal authorities, and residents to assess the severity of the situation.
During the tour, he expressed concern over the unregulated construction of buildings on drainage channels, which he identified as a key factor behind the recurring floods.
Questioning the lack of enforcement from local authorities, President Mahama demanded accountability:
“The assembly here, how did you sit and allow this to happen? How did the assembly allow this to happen? And that is why you have the chief executive, have assembly members. They must be conscious of all this. These are waterways. Can you imagine the volume of water that this place alone can hold when it rains?”
He stressed the urgent need to restore proper drainage and prevent further disaster, stating:
“And so if you fill it up and you say there should just be a drain passing through, the drain cannot contain that water. And so let’s do what we have to do. They should remove all these.”
Flooding Crisis in Accra
Flooding has remained one of Accra’s most pressing urban challenges, particularly in low-lying areas such as Mallam Junction, Weija, Odawna, Kaneshie, and Circle.
Experts have long attributed the problem to:
Poor drainage systems
Indiscriminate waste disposal
Encroachment of buildings on natural floodplains
Despite repeated warnings and previous demolition exercises, unauthorized developments have persisted, worsening the situation.
With this latest directive, President Mahama aims to take decisive action to protect lives and properties while ensuring sustainable urban planning in flood-prone areas.
