Hwakpo flood retention zone under threat as development encroaches on buffer land

An important flood retention area at Hwakpo in the Ada West District is reportedly coming under increasing pressure from development, raising concerns about the community’s vulnerability to future flooding.

The undeveloped land, which residents say has long served as a natural buffer against floodwaters, is being encroached upon by emerging concrete structures and land preparation for mango cultivation.

Residents fear that the loss of the flood retention area could worsen the impact of torrential rains on the community, particularly following recent flooding that affected several parts of the Greater Accra Region.

During the heavy rains, floodwaters cut off sections of the Accra-Aflao highway between Hwakpo and Addokope. Residents believe the retention area helped protect their community from more extensive destruction.

However, parts of the land, located just a few metres from the highway, are now being developed, prompting renewed calls for immediate intervention by the Ada West District Assembly.

When newsmen visited the area, concrete structures were already emerging from the ground, while portions of the land were being prepared for mango cultivation.

The developments have alarmed residents, who warn that allowing construction and cultivation to continue could undermine the area’s ability to accommodate excess rainwater during periods of intense rainfall.

Assembly notified over alleged encroachment

The Ada West District Assembly’s Planning and Development Engineer, acknowledged that his office was unaware of the development after concerned residents brought the matter to his attention.

He subsequently dispatched an assembly taskforce to halt the work and invite the developer to the Assembly for questioning.

However, as at the time of filing this report the developer is yet to respond to the calls by the Assembly Engineer.

Disappointed residents identified one Stephen Nortey who claims to be a family head from Prampram as the person allegedly undertaking the development.

Equally, several calls to Mr Nortey including text messages went unanswered.

Residents fear consequences of future floods

Residents are concerned that if the structures are allowed to expand, the community could face increased flood risks during future downpours.

They also fear that should the properties be damaged by flooding, the developer could subsequently seek government assistance or relief items from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), despite the current concerns over development in the flood-prone area.

The concerns underscore the importance of enforcing development regulations and protecting natural drainage channels and flood retention areas, particularly in communities exposed to seasonal flooding.

Building on waterways and designated buffer zones can obstruct the natural movement of water, potentially increasing flood risks for nearby settlements. The precise hydrological impact of the reported development at Hwakpo, however, would require assessment by the relevant technical authorities.

Call for urgent enforcement

Residents have appealed to the Ada West District Assembly to intervene immediately, stop the ongoing activities and assess the legality of the structures and proposed mango cultivation.

They are also calling for the removal of any unauthorised structures found to obstruct the flood retention area, arguing that early enforcement would be less costly than responding to a future flood disaster.

The Planning and Development Engineer on his part indicated that construction in a waterway or buffer zone was unlawful, and would ensure that the development there is stopped.

They insist that protecting the land is not merely a matter of enforcing building regulations but also a preventive measure to safeguard lives, property and public infrastructure.

With the memory of recent flooding still fresh, residents say the Assembly must act before the development advances further.

For Hwakpo, the question is whether the authorities will intervene in time to protect a natural flood buffer that residents believe has helped shield the community from more devastating consequences of heavy rainfall.