Let’s tackle perennial flooding in Accra - MP for Domeabra-Obom

The National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament (MP) for Domeabra-Obom Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Ms Sophia Karen Ackuaku, has called for a holistic approach devoid of politics to tackle the perennial flooding in Accra.

According to her, flooding had become a national emergency which required a national and a serious approach.
“We must commit huge investment to tackle this issue, change our attitude towards sanitation and also see the problem as a menace and not a political problem,” she said.

She gave an example of how businessman Ibrahim Mahama’s efforts to dredge the Odaw River led to widespread criticism just because of his relation to former President John Dramani Mahama.

“Ibrahim Mahama sacrificed himself and committed resources to desilt the Odaw River at no cost to the nation. Instead of us to appreciate his efforts, we decided to insult and chastise him,” she said.

Enforce by-laws

The legislator further called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strictly enforce their by-laws, especially the ones on sanitation and buildings, to curb the rampant dumping of refuse in gutters and waterbodies and prevent people from building and erecting structures at unapproved places.

“The district assemblies should enforce the laws to stop the floods.

People build on watercourses and the authorities look on instead of telling them the right thing to do to save all of us.

Such acts should be controlled by the assemblies,” she said.

Ms Ackuaku, who is also a member of Parliament’s Committee on Water, Works and Housing, said the MMDAs were crucial in solving the flooding menace and that any lapses on their part would make the fight against flood very difficult to win.