Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has announced plans to remove unauthorised structures in flood-prone areas across Accra as part of efforts to address the city’s recurring flooding problem.
The minister announced an inspection tour of communities affected by Wednesday’s heavy rains, which caused flooding in several parts of the capital and disrupted movement.
As part of the tour, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei and a team of officials visited key flood hotspots, including the bridge at Dome Pillar Two, where floodwaters overflowed into nearby homes.
According to the minister, the inspection revealed that the bridge is too low and lacks the capacity to handle the increasing volume of water during heavy rainfall.
“We first visited the bridge at Dome Pillar Two and observed that the bridge overflowed, causing floodwaters to enter people’s homes. Government will work on that bridge because it is too low,” he said.
He explained that engineers have recommended raising the bridge to improve water flow and reduce flooding in the area.
“The intervention is to raise the bridge so that the volume of water flowing through the area will not interfere with traffic using the road. The bridge must have sufficient capacity underneath to accommodate the flow of water,” he added.
The minister noted that flooding in the area is linked not only to the bridge but also to developments upstream and human activities that obstruct natural waterways.
He expressed concern about the growing number of buildings constructed on waterways and in flood-prone zones, describing the practice as a major contributor to flooding in Accra.
“It is not only about the bridge. We have also observed that some people have built on waterways. These developments obstruct the natural flow of water and worsen flooding whenever there is heavy rainfall,” he stated.
Kenneth Gilbert Adjei disclosed that a special task force has been commissioned to identify and remove illegal structures on waterways and other unauthorised developments contributing to flooding.
“We are all part of government, and therefore we are calling on those affected to cooperate. A task force has been commissioned and will begin removing all unauthorised buildings situated on waterways and in flood-prone areas,” he warned.
He stressed that while government continues to invest in drainage infrastructure and flood-control projects, residents must comply with planning regulations and avoid encroaching on waterways.
The minister said the government remains committed to tackling the root causes of flooding through infrastructure improvements, enforcement of planning laws, and public cooperation.
