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 29 devastating floods on Monday, 29, which claimed 10 lives, displaced 7,761 households and left thousands of residents affected across several communities in the Greater Accra Region.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, June 30, the Deputy Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, said the restoration of the wetlands is critical 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 intended 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 stated.
According to the Deputy Minister, rapid encroachment on wetlands has increased the speed at which runoff flows into the capital, leaving little capacity to contain excess water during heavy rains.
“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 added.
She further stressed that restoring the wetlands, alongside securing sustainable funding and enforcing demolition exercises, forms part of government’s long-term strategy to strengthen flood resilience and protect lives and property.
