From Issah Alhassan
Residents living in and around the Ahenbronum North and Santan electoral areas within the Tafo Constituency would soon heave a sigh of relief from perennial flooding, following the decision of the Ghana Hydro Department of the Ministry of Works and Water Resources to construct two major storm drains to address consistent flooding in the area.
A team of experts from the Ghana Hydro Department, led by the Acting Director, Mr. Hubert Osei-Wusu Ansah, was in the constituency, under the auspices of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei, to conduct visibility studies on the two projects, and to commence arrangements towards the construction of the drains.
The problem of flooding has been very persistent in the Tafo constituency, particularly within the Zongo and Ahenbronum areas, during the rainy seasons, as a result of poor drainage systems, with several reports of domestic property being destroyed anytime there is a heavy downpour.
The construction of the storm drains has, therefore, become necessary, after several appeals from the residents to the MP, who subsequently, lobbied the Ministry to assist in the construction of the drains.
The acting Director of the Ghana Hydro Department told The Chronicle during the inspection that funds had been allocated for the construction of the drains, and that his team was in the constituency to study the situation for preparations towards the commencement.
He noted that his outfit would first study the projects, draw the designs, and subsequently award the contract for work to begin.
Mr. Osei-Wusu Ansah stressed that the issue of funding had been adequately taken care of, and that what was left, was for his outfit to present the designs and subsequent award of the contract for the project to commence within the next three months.
He noted further that issue of flooding was a matter of concern to the ministry, and that it would ensure that arrangements were made quickly so that work starts soon without delay.
The MP for the area, Dr. Akoto Osei, also stated his excitement about the prospects of the projects, stressing that it would help address the perennial problems constituents were going through.
He said the two areas were latent problems that were likely to result in serious disasters, and was therefore, happy that the ministry had agreed to embark upon the projects.
In a related development, the MP has also paid a working tour to Pankrono to sympathise with some residents who were affected by flooding as a result of last week’s rains.
About 28 residents at Kuneso in Pankrono reportedly had their domestic properties destroyed after the walls of their building collapsed, leading to the flooding.
A narrow bridge in the area, apparently, could not contain the intensity of the rain, resulting in the flooding which damaged some building walls.
Dr. Akoto Osei said he had been in touch with the Ghana Highways Authority for the construction of big culverts as a temporary measure, and donated 40 bags of cement towards the construction.