The government has announced plans to demolish buildings encroaching on six wetlands in Accra as part of a broader strategy to reduce flooding and restore the capital’s natural drainage system.
The decision follows the devastating floods on Monday, June 29, which claimed 10 lives, displaced 7,761 households and affected thousands of residents across several communities in the Greater Accra Region.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, June 30, Deputy Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, said restoring the wetlands is essential to preventing future flooding, stressing that government is prepared to take difficult but necessary decisions.
She explained that the wetlands, which have been heavily encroached upon over the years, were originally designated to serve as natural water retention areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
“Mr. Speaker, we have about six wetlands that have to be restored in Accra alone. The reason we have to do this is that we need spaces where we can hold water. The rivers must be given their room and the streams must be given their space,” she said.
According to the Deputy Minister, widespread encroachment on wetlands has increased the speed at which runoff flows into the city, leaving little capacity to contain excess water during heavy rains.
She therefore warned that structures occupying the affected wetlands will be removed.
“So those wetlands that have been encroached upon, for those who have encroached and for those who sold the lands, please find a way of getting your money back, because the government is going to take them and use them for the right purpose,” she stated.
Ms. Tetteh-Agbotui added that restoring wetlands, securing sustainable funding and enforcing demolition exercises form part of government’s long-term strategy to strengthen flood resilience and better protect lives and property in Accra.
