GARID Project: Government Makes Significant Progress in Tackling Accra Flooding
The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, says substantial progress is being made under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project as government steps up efforts to address the persistent flooding challenges in the capital.
Addressing the Government Accountability Series, the Minister revealed that performance-based dredging is currently underway along critical sections of the Odaw Channel, notably at Caprice and the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, which are among Accra’s most flood-prone locations.
He explained that about 90,936 cubic metres of silt and sediment have so far been removed and properly disposed of, a development that has significantly improved water flow and reduced the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
“By adopting performance-based dredging, we are ensuring that the Odaw Channel remains free of excessive silt accumulation, which has for years contributed to flooding in Accra,” he stated.
Hon. Adjei also reported steady progress on drainage and road improvement works under the GARID Project in several communities. Construction at Alogboshie is 58 per cent complete, while works at Akweteyman and Nima have reached 62 per cent and 65 per cent completion, respectively.
He noted that the interventions are crucial for improving stormwater management, while also enhancing accessibility, safety and overall mobility within the beneficiary communities.
The Minister further announced that additional infrastructure works are ongoing in other vulnerable areas, including Achimota, Nima-Paloma and Kaneshie, as part of government’s broader strategy to build urban resilience across the Greater Accra Region.
The GARID Project is a multi-sector initiative aimed at reducing flooding, improving drainage networks, upgrading transport infrastructure and strengthening solid waste management in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. It also integrates community participation and climate adaptation measures to minimise the impact of extreme weather events.
Hon. Adjei reaffirmed government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and value for money, stressing that the GARID Project remains central to efforts to mitigate climate change impacts, modernise urban infrastructure and protect lives and property.
