By Rebecca Asheley Amarh
Tema, June 13, GNA — Mr Richard Ben Debrah, Works Engineer of the Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA), has disclosed that the assembly is utilising the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) machines to enhance road construction quality and improve drainage infrastructure across the municipality.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Debrah said the assembly’s engineering department was prioritising interventions aimed at preventing flooding through improved infrastructure development and environmental management practices.
He explained that as part of proactive flood mitigation measures, the assembly, through its internally generated fund (IGF), had undertaken dredging of drains and Ramsar areas ahead of the peak rainy season to ensure the free flow of stormwater.
“Our primary focus is on engineering efforts that will help prevent flooding within the municipality. We have carried out dredging exercises in drains and Ramsar sites before the onset of heavy rains to keep water channels clear and functional,” he stated.
Mr Debrah said the assembly was also intensifying efforts to identify and remove structures illegally erected on wetlands and Ramsar sites.
According to him, such ecologically sensitive areas play a critical role in collecting and retaining excess rainwater, and encroachment on them often leads to blockages that increase the risk of flooding in surrounding communities.
“Ramsar sites and wetlands serve as natural water retention areas. When people build on them, water has nowhere to go during heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding in low-lying communities,” he explained.
Touching on climate change adaptation measures, Mr Debrah urged residents to incorporate green spaces into their property developments to help reduce surface runoff.
He recommended that property owners dedicate between 20 and 30 per cent of their land to vegetation and greening initiatives.
“Due to changing weather patterns and increasing rainfall intensity, residents should allocate a portion of their land to trees and vegetation. This helps retain water on-site and reduces the amount of runoff entering our streets and drainage systems,” he said.
The works engineer further stressed the need for strict adherence to urban planning regulations and building codes, particularly regarding developments in environmentally sensitive areas.
He advised prospective developers to obtain the necessary building permits from the assembly before commencing any construction projects.
“Citizens are encouraged to visit the assembly to secure the appropriate permits before starting any development. This allows us to ensure that the proposed location and construction materials are suitable and will not interfere with public drainage systems,” he noted.
Mr Debrah also appealed to residents to support the assembly’s flood prevention efforts by maintaining clean drains and refraining from indiscriminate clearing of vegetation.
He said community cooperation remained essential to sustaining a flood-resilient municipality and protecting lives and property during the rainy season.
“We all have a role to play. Keeping drains clean and preserving vegetation are simple but effective ways of ensuring that our communities remain safe and flood-free,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo