The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), together with the Volta River Authority (VRA), has held a joint workshop on emergency planning and flood risk management as part of efforts to strengthen disaster readiness and environmental protection in coastal districts.
The one-day workshop, which took place in Accra yesterday, brought together officials from 10 districts considered vulnerable to emergencies linked to coastal and dam-related risks, with a focus on improving understanding of the Emergency Preparedness Plan and Environmental Management Plan.
The event focused on flood risk mapping and the implications of both existing and planned developments in flood-prone areas.
Workshop
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, said the annual engagement reflected a strong commitment to preparedness at the local level.“
This focus is critical as it equips stakeholders with the knowledge needed to guide planning decisions, mitigate risks and enhance community resilience,” she said.
She described the emergency preparedness plan as a key response framework in the event of dam-related emergencies, adding that regular engagements in affected districts would help build local capacity, review procedures and test response systems.
The environmental management plan, she noted, would ensure that hydroelectric operations were carried out in a sustainable manner while protecting communities and natural resources.
“We are deeply interested in the effective implementation of the plan and are committed to working hand in hand with all stakeholders to ensure that lives and property are protected at all times,” she added.
Encroachment concerns
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ada East, Kenneth Kabu Kofi Kanor, revealed that more than 2,000 structures had been erected along riverbanks, many without permits.
He said developers were reclaiming land illegally, often expanding a single plot into multiple plots within restricted zones.
“Most of the structures you see today do not have permits. When you ask, they tell you a landlord sold the land to them,” he said.
He warned that the assembly, backed by legal guidance from the VRA, would begin enforcement actions, including demolition of unauthorised structures and court processes to revoke improperly issued permits.
He added that a mandatory buffer of 50 metres along riverbanks had been widely ignored, raising the risk of flooding and damage during dam spillage events.
The DCE disclosed that ongoing enforcement efforts had already halted about 28 developments, with plans to intensify monitoring in sensitive areas, including Ramsar sites and island communities facing increasing development pressure.
Risk management
The Director for Water Resources and Renewable Energy at the VRA, Abdul Noor Wahab, identified illegal construction on waterways as a major threat to both human safety and dam operations.
He explained that the emergency preparedness plan served as an early warning system that defined roles and responsibilities during emergencies.
He said the plan covered two main scenarios: controlled spillage from dams and potential dam failure.
“The engagement serves as a reminder and refresher for all stakeholders so that we are clear on what to do when emergencies arise,” he said.
Mr Wahab stressed that continuous stakeholder engagement remained key to addressing emerging risks, especially in areas with growing populations downstream of major dams.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh