The Ada West District Assembly has begun implementing measures to address the flooding that has affected several communities in the district following recent heavy rains.
The flooding, which occurred after sustained downpours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, submerged homes, damaged roads, displaced residents and disrupted economic activities in many communities.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Mordzifa Tanihu Jerry John Foreigner Mills-Nkrumah, the Ada West District Chief Executive (DCE), said the assembly had collaborated with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to deploy heavy equipment, including an excavator, to desilt drains and create canals to facilitate the free flow of floodwaters.
According to him, the intervention was aimed at easing the flooding situation while the assembly worked towards long-term solutions.
Mr Mills-Nkrumah identified some of the worst-hit communities as Luhuor, Bonikope, Akplabanya, Wokumagbe, Goi, Lolonya, Kportitsekorpe and Segese, where a number of homes were inundated for hours, forcing some families to evacuate, while some buildings also collapsed.
“The floods also affected many roads, making movement extremely difficult for residents. It is unfortunate to witness people struggling to access basic services because of the poor condition of the roads,” the DCE said.
He noted that many roads in the district require comprehensive redesign, re-engineering, re-shaping and reconstruction to improve drainage and withstand heavy rains.
He said the assembly was working closely with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Department of Feeder Roads and other relevant stakeholders to undertake a permanent rehabilitation of the affected road network.
As an interim measure, the DCE disclosed that the assembly had procured boulders and other materials to temporarily stabilise some of the damaged roads and improve access for residents until major reconstruction works commence.
He appealed to residents to exercise patience and cooperate with the assembly as efforts continue to mitigate the effects of flooding and improve infrastructure across the district.
Mr Mills-Nkrumah also urged residents to avoid dumping refuse into drains and waterways and to desist from constructing buildings on watercourses, stressing that such practices contribute significantly to flooding during the rainy season.
He said the assembly was committed to working with all relevant agencies to enhance flood resilience and protect lives and property in the district.