Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has disclosed that government has expressed its commitment to resolving challenges with perennial flooding in Accra.
According to him, the project with funding from the World Bank will be achieved through the implementation of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID).
He further intimated that the project once finalized will help improve flood risk and solid waste management. Also, it will improve access to basic infrastructure and services in the targeted flood-prone communities in Greater Accra.
“The Government believes that no Ghanaian deserves to die or lose his or her properties just because God has decided to bless us with rains”.
Mr. Asenso also firmly believes th project will improve access to basic infrastructure and services in targeted flood prone communities. He also stated that it will foster adaptation of lood management to climate change in the region.
“Every single life is important, and that is why we are making the right investments to find more lasting solutions to sanitation and flooding challenges in Accra”.
Holistic approach needed to address flooding challenges
Speaking at the 3rd Steering Committee meeting of the GARID project, Mr. Asenso underscored the importance of stakeholder support. He revealed that public participation will help improve sanitation in the country.
“I, therefore, appeal to all stakeholders especially residents of Accra and affected areas to support this initiative”.
The meeting was also attended by the Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah; Ministry for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe as well as officials from the project implementing office ministries.
Government solicits funding from World Bank
In 2018, government through the Ministry of Works and Housing, requested credit facility from the World Bank.
The investment was for both structural works and non-structural services towards improving flood and solid waste management in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.
The GARID project focuses on the Odaw river basinto with its area-based approach, . Other urbanized areas in Accra it focused on are Onyasia, Dakobi and Ado drain. It also includes the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ga East, Ga West and Adentan Municipal Assemblies further upstream.
The river basin has the highest population density, hosting 60% of entire Greater Accra Region population and affected by chronic flooding with an estimated 30% of the population at risk living in settlements subject flooding.
GARID project to strengthen flood and waste management
GARID is a collaborative effort of four implementing ministries, that is, the Ministry of Works and Housing; Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources; Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.
The main objective of the GARID Project is to strengthen flood and solid waste management. It also proffers to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable communities in the Odaw Basin in the Greater Accra Region. The proposed project is expected to be implemented five years.
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