The Enchi Traditional Authority has identified poor town planning and weak enforcement of development regulations as some of the major factors contributing to the recent flooding that has devastated parts of the Aowin Municipality in the Western North Region.
The concern was raised when a Regional team from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) paid a courtesy call on traditional leaders as part of an assessment of the flood situation in the municipality.
Speaking during the engagement, the Tufohene of Enchi, Nana Panyin II, noted that indiscriminate construction and the failure to adhere to proper planning regulations have contributed significantly to the recurring flooding experienced in the area.
According to him, several structures have been erected in waterways and flood-prone areas, obstructing the natural flow of water and increasing the risk of flooding whenever there is heavy rainfall.
Nana Panyin II stressed that municipal engineers, physical planning authorities, and other relevant stakeholders must take proactive steps to enforce building regulations and ensure that future developments conform to approved planning standards.
He observed that the recent flood disaster, which displaced thousands of residents and destroyed properties, should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to address the growing problem of unregulated development within the municipality.
The traditional leader further called for a comprehensive review of drainage systems and stricter monitoring of construction activities to prevent similar disasters in the future.
His comments come as affected communities continue to recover from one of the worst flooding incidents in recent years, with NADMO and other stakeholders providing support to displaced residents.
The Regional NADMO team is currently assessing the extent of the damage and engaging local authorities to develop both immediate and long-term solutions to mitigate future flooding in the municipality.
