Accra, July 16, GNA – Artisans at the Adabraka Odawna Garage have appealed to government for urgent support to restore operations after flooding brought work to a standstill.
The appeal follows weeks of disruption caused by flood damage to tools, machines and workspaces at the garage.
Mr Sampson Prempeh, Chairman of the Garage, told the Ghana News Agency that the facility was not in good shape to resume operations, leaving artisans unable to work.
He explained that welders, sprayers, mechanics and other tradespeople had lost machines essential to their work, while about 1,500 apprentices had been displaced.
“We have an initiative that trains young people for free and many of them reside at the garage. They are now homeless and helpless. Their mattresses, clothing and everything they owned have been washed away. They need help,” he said.
Mr Jonny Karambilas, former Secretary of the Garage, appealed for financial support to replace tools and machines and to cater for clients’ vehicles damaged in the floods.
“We have incurred lots of debt from losing our tools, machines, and destruction of vehicles. We have never experienced this kind of flood,” he said.
Mr Richard Agyei, a mechanic, called for proper drainage systems and regular dredging of the Odaw River to prevent future occurrences.
“If the government can help us with one trip of gravel for each plot to fill our shops, it will be okay for us, we can’t go under the cars,” he stated.
Mr Kweku Yeboah, another mechanic who resided at the garage, recounted losing all his belongings and showed GNA a muddy room yet to be cleaned.
“Nobody wants to bring their car here again because the place was flooded, and there is fear of future floods,” he lamented.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Priscilla Oye Ofori