By Stanley Kwabla Arku
The Odaw Drainage System in Accra has been a source of distress for residents in Abofu, Alogboshie, Kwame Nkrumah Circle and other communities along the drain as the deteriorating state of the system has led to severe flooding and damage to properties whenever the rains set in.
The drainage system, constructed during the Kufuor era, has become ineffective in handling the increased water flow, leading to erosion and obstruction of water flow.
In response to the pressing issue, the World Bank has initiated the upgrading and drainage improvement works as part of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project.
However, some residents in Alogboshie and Abofu have voiced their concerns about the progress of the work and are urging stakeholders to expedite the process to prevent further loss of lives and properties.
“We cannot continue to live in fear every time it rains. The authorities need to prioritize the repair of the Odawna Drainage System to prevent further devastation to our community,” said a concerned resident.
“We are grateful for the repair efforts, but time is of essence. We urge all stakeholders to work swiftly to protect our community,” urged another concerned resident.
Residents in Abofu and Alogboshie also say they are living in constant fear as the rains have already begun, exacerbating the existing challenges posed by the deteriorating drainage system.
According to them, the inability of the system to cope with the water flow has resulted in flooding, disrupting daily lives and causing damage to properties.
About the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project
In 2019, the Government of Ghana received ($200 million) financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project.
The Project is being implemented through five-interrelated Components, namely:
- Climate Resilient Drainage and Flood Mitigating Activities;
- Solid Waste Management Capacity Improvements;
- Participatory Upgrading of Targeted Flood Prone Low-Income Communities and Local Government Support;
- Project Management; and Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC)-COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project
The main objective of the assignment is to develop Joint Basin Management Plan for the Odaw River Basin. This plan will seek to regulate the social, economic, and physical processes that affect the sustainability of the Basin.
The consulting services include conducting baseline assessment, including current and future water availability, quality and variability, demand, the impact of climate change, and upstream land use and existing infrastructure, for the preparation of an urban watershed management plan, including flood zoning guidelines for the Odaw River Basin.
The estimated level of effort (professional staff-months) is 72 staff-months. The duration of the assignment is estimated at 24 months and the assignment was expected to start in October 2021 but started in March 2024.