Vincent Asamoah Oppong speaking to the media
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing has commended Dredge Masters Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, for its ongoing dredging works in Accra’s Odaw River and Korle Lagoon.
During a field inspection tour on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Accra, the Committee Chairperson, Mr. Vincent Asamoah Oppong, expressed satisfaction with the company’s progress, noting that they were pleased with the ongoing efforts.
The field inspection formed part of Parliament’s oversight activities to monitor flood control measures ahead of the heavy rains expected in the capital this year.
“So far, you (referring to Dredge Masters) are doing a very good job, and we are impressed with what you are doing,” he stated.
However, he called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), particularly the Mayor of Accra, to take immediate and proactive action to address Accra’s perennial flooding problem as the rainy season approaches.
“With the rainy season fast approaching, it is imperative that the MMDCEs, and particularly the Mayor of Accra, take immediate steps to ensure these issues are addressed. Sanitation must be taken seriously, and encroachers must be relocated. We cannot afford to be reactive. We must be proactive if we want to save lives and reduce economic losses associated with flooding,” he asserted.
He also emphasized the importance of law enforcement and local government responsibility in addressing 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. From what we have been told, some of these individuals were even compensated to vacate, yet they remain here,” he added.
Mr. Asamoah Oppong also highlighted an operational challenge that could undermine the dredging efforts.
“The sand and silt removed from the canals are currently being deposited on the banks. If these areas remain occupied or unmanaged, the material could easily be washed back into the drains during the rains, thereby rendering the entire project ineffective. This defeats the purpose of dredging, which is to clear the waterways and prevent flooding,” he cautioned.
The MP for Techiman South and Committee member, Mr. Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah, also raised concerns over the increasing rate of encroachment along the waterways.
Earlier, the Deputy Managing Director of Dredge Masters Limited (DML), Mr. Samuel Borquaye, who is overseeing the dredging works in both the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon, explained that the project aims to desilt the channels to prevent flooding, especially in light of forecasts predicting heavy rainfall this year. He cited the indiscriminate dumping of refuse by residents along the waterways as a major challenge affecting their work.
“This makes the dredging process more difficult than it should be. We need to change our attitudes when it comes to waste disposal,” he lamented.
Mr. Borquaye further indicated that, with proper planning and investment, the areas currently being dredged could be transformed into a beautiful site for tourism. However, for this to happen, he stressed the need to return to the drawing board to address both infrastructure development and public behaviour.
Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:
Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel
