Omanghana
Residents and community representatives at Mallam Junction have expressed frustration over what they describe as a lack of visible action by the National Flood Mitigation Task Force following devastating flash floods across Greater Accra.
The concerns have prompted the question: “Is the flooding taskforce now sleeping and waiting for another disaster to strike at Mallam Junction?”
Although the task force has begun the second phase of its dredging, desilting and demolition operations in parts of Weija, Mallam and Laboma, residents argue that work at the critical Mallam Junction flood zone has either slowed or remains insufficient.
The National Flood Mitigation Task Force was established under the direction of President John Dramani Mahama, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Xoese Dogbe providing operational leadership. Its mandate includes clearing waterways, removing unauthorized structures and improving drainage systems in flood-prone communities.
At Mallam Junction, residents have identified alleged structural obstructions as a major cause of recurrent flooding.
Community members claim a TotalEnergies service station and its concrete boundary walls occupy part of a natural waterway, restricting the movement of stormwater during heavy rainfall. They allege that the obstruction forces large volumes of water into nearby homes, businesses and roads.
Some residents have staged demonstrations to demand urgent intervention. They want the authorities to investigate the alleged encroachment and remove any structure found to be obstructing the natural drainage channel.
The protesters have also called for equal enforcement of demolition directives. They argue that the government should address large commercial structures allegedly situated in waterways instead of concentrating mainly on smaller residential properties.
Residents are further demanding the construction of a wider and stronger bridge capable of carrying high volumes of stormwater away from surrounding communities. They have proposed infrastructure similar to the bridge along the Tetegu Highway as a possible model.
The issue has also attracted political attention. Weija-Gbawe Member of Parliament Jerry Ahmed Shaib has questioned the task force’s visibility and effectiveness in affected communities.
According to the MP, residents who suffered losses during recent flooding feel abandoned and are uncertain about the measures being taken to prevent another disaster.
The Parliamentary Minority has similarly criticized the government’s flood-control response, arguing that the scale of the recent destruction demonstrates a lack of urgency in implementing preventive measures.
The task force, however, maintains that its operations are being conducted in phases. Supported by Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah and personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces’ 48 Engineer Regiment, the team says it is systematically addressing high-risk flood zones.
Officials point to the clearing of buffer areas and work to unblock retention facilities, including the Tesa Dam, as evidence that the exercise is continuing.
Military and civilian engineering teams are also expected to expand operations within the Weija-Mallam enclave. The planned work includes removing unauthorized retaining walls, dredging silted drains and clearing major water channels.
For residents of Mallam Junction, however, the primary concern is whether the intervention will arrive before another period of intense rainfall.
They are urging the government to accelerate work at identified bottlenecks, enforce planning and environmental regulations fairly, and provide a clear timeline for permanent drainage improvements.
Source: Omanghana
