Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minister of Works and Housing, has urged Ghanaians to modify their views about how garbage is disposed of in stormwater drainage systems. This, according to the Minister, will go a long way toward complementing government efforts to combat the country's recurring flooding in the capital and elsewhere.
The Sector Minister, speaking at the launch of a Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) for the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development Project (GARID) today in Accra, stated that for the country to find a long-term solution to the threat of flooding, the government's efforts must be complemented by appropriate waste disposal behaviours on the part of the public as well as commitment from various municipal, regional, and national government agencies.
Metropolitan and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are responsible for enforcing sanitation rules and implementing the required sanctions without fear or favour.
The SBCC Campaign is part of the Government's GARID Project's holistic strategy to managing flood and solid waste in flood-prone informal settlements in the Odaw Basin. The Cleanest Market and Lorry Park Award Scheme will be established by the Campaign in the future, with the Cleanest Market and Lorry Terminal being recognised and a League Table being broadcast in the media.
The Sector Minister recalled the Akufo-Addo administration's significant investments in the National Flood Control and Priority Drainage Programme, which totaled Gh450 million over the previous four years. Construction, excavation, rechanneling, and maintenance of storm drains are examples of these interventions.