Tema Assembly Orders Demolition of Structures on Waterways as Flood Control Measures Intensify

By: Justice Ahoto

The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has announced a major crackdown on unauthorized structures obstructing waterways as part of renewed efforts to address perennial flooding in the metropolis.

The directive, issued by Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) Ebi Bright during the second day of the nationwide cleanup exercise, comes amid growing concerns over the worsening sanitation situation and the recurring loss of lives and property caused by floods.

The cleanup exercise brought together personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, officials of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, and community volunteers. Participants desilted drains, cleared refuse from public spaces, and removed debris from major waterways across the city.

Commander of the First Garrison, Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, described the heavily silted Chemu Lagoon as the greatest challenge to effective flood control in Tema. According to him, years of accumulated silt and mud have significantly reduced the lagoon’s capacity to channel stormwater, contributing to the severe flooding experienced in recent weeks.

He revealed that security agencies have identified and marked several illegal structures erected on waterways for demolition, adding that indiscriminate waste disposal and the direct discharge of household wastewater into drains continue to undermine flood mitigation efforts.

The security commander stressed that reclaiming blocked waterways and restoring the Chemu Lagoon through dredging are essential steps toward preventing future flood disasters in the metropolis.

Addressing participants, MCE Ebi Bright said the cleanup exercise represented only the beginning of a broader sanitation intervention aimed at restoring Tema’s drainage system.

She announced that all structures obstructing waterways, particularly within the Central Business District and Tema New Town, would be demolished to restore the natural flow of stormwater and reduce flood risks.

The MCE also advocated the introduction of a 24-hour waste management system, arguing that Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda cannot succeed without continuous refuse collection and disposal services.

According to her, the current waste management system is constrained by limited operational hours at disposal sites, preventing refuse trucks from making multiple trips each day and slowing waste evacuation across the metropolis.

The Ghana National Fire Service supported the exercise by deploying seven fire engines to flush heavily silted drains with high-pressure water, helping to remove accumulated debris and improve water flow.

The Tema Metropolitan Assembly and the security agencies jointly emphasized that sustained public education, strict enforcement of sanitation by-laws, regular cleanup exercises, and the urgent dredging of the Chemu Lagoon are critical to building a flood-resilient city.

Authorities indicated that recommendations arising from the exercise, including the acquisition of specialized dredging and demolition equipment, would be submitted to the appropriate government agencies as efforts continue to strengthen flood prevention measures in Tema.