Several properties, including homes, churches, businesses, and the Apowa Police Station along the under-construction Takoradi–Agona Nkwanta Dualised Highway, have been spared the threat of flooding after the Ahanta West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Ing. Ebenezer Kofi Aidoo, halted a private developer from backfilling a strategic natural flood retention area along the stretch.
The Municipal Chief Executive, accompanied by the Municipal Works Engineer and officials from the Physical Planning Department, has begun unannounced inspections of flood-prone communities, issuing stop-work notices, ordering dredging operations, and directing other remedial measures as part of a coordinated and sustained effort to reduce flooding across the municipality.
During one of the inspections, the team discovered a private developer who had dumped more than twenty truckloads of laterite into the flood retention area opposite the Apowa Police Station. An excavator was on site spreading and compacting the material, while two shipping containers had already been placed on the reclaimed land.
Even before the works, residents had petitioned the Assembly to construct a drainage system to channel stormwater away from the area, as even moderate rainfall causes flooding. A nearby church has already suspended services because of the persistent flooding.
The residents fear the situation will worsen significantly if the developer is allowed to reclaim what they describe as the community’s “last line of defence” against flooding, particularly as weather forecasts predict more rainfall in the coming weeks.
Without hesitation, Ing. Kofi Aidoo ordered the machine operator to stop work immediately. “…Stop work. Call whoever you are working for and tell him you have been instructed to stop work. He must report to the Assembly without fail. He will remove all the laterite from here. If he fails to do so, there will be serious legal consequences.”
The MCE expressed concern over what he described as the increasing practice of developers backfilling natural flood retention areas, only to blame local assemblies when their properties are eventually inundated.
“…We have begun a comprehensive review of development permits, especially those issued close to flood-prone areas. Just look at this place. Why should anyone find it acceptable to backfill this area and make surrounding properties even more vulnerable to flooding? I will not allow it. There is no way I will stand by and watch this area be reclaimed.”
Ing. Kofi Aidoo was particularly unhappy with what he described as unauthorised modifications along sections of the Takoradi–Agona Nkwanta Dualised Highway, which, he said, have enabled private developers to access and illegally reclaim land adjacent to the road corridor.
“You will notice that along the road, some culverts have been constructed in a way that allows heavy trucks and machinery to gain access to these areas. For instance, there is a large culvert near the Amanfokuma Junction. That small bridge leads nowhere. Instead, it has provided access for someone to move in and begin backfilling the area. This is totally unacceptable.”
To prevent further illegal developments along the highway, the MCE announced that a dedicated task force would conduct unannounced patrols along the corridor to identify and halt any unauthorised activities that could compromise the integrity of the highway or increase the risk of flooding.
He stressed that the Assembly would not hesitate to enforce planning regulations against developers whose activities threaten public infrastructure or endanger surrounding communities.
By Eric Yaw Adjei
