Officials of Sekondi-Takoradi NADMO begin desilting exercise to prevent flooding

The Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolitan Office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has commenced a large-scale desilting and disinfection exercise targeting fifteen major storm drains across the metropolis in an effort to reduce the growing risk of flooding.

The drains, located within the Sekondi, Takoradi, and Essikadu sub-metros, have become heavily clogged with plastic waste, silt, and debris, significantly reducing their ability to channel rainwater effectively during heavy downpours.

According to NADMO officials, the affected drains are among the most critical drainage channels in the Sekondi–Takoradi metropolis, designed specifically to carry large volumes of runoff water during the rainy season. Their deteriorated condition has heightened the risk of flash floods, even after moderate rainfall.

The intervention follows days of intense rainfall that caused severe flooding in several parts of the metropolis, disrupting transportation, commercial activities, and daily life for residents.

Some of the worst-hit areas included the Takoradi Market Circle and adjoining communities, as well as sections stretching from the Sekondi Youth Centre through the frontage of the Sekondi Divisional Command of the Ghana Police Service to Kundum Square at Komfoase.

Floodwaters submerged roads, affected homes and businesses, and disrupted both vehicular and pedestrian movement, raising renewed concerns about poor drainage systems and indiscriminate waste disposal in the metropolis.

Speaking to ConnectNews, the Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolitan Director of NADMO, Alhaji Abubakar Kamal, explained that although the exercise had been planned for some time, recent flooding incidents made the operation more urgent.

“…we had planned to undertake this exercise for a while now. However, the 15 drains we have identified have become critical because of their importance in preventing the recurring incidence of flooding. We have four each in Sekondi and Takoradi, while the remaining seven are in Essikadu,” he stated.

In the Sekondi sub-metro, the drains selected for the exercise include the Boundary Road through the Police Station Traffic Light to Bungalow Ase drain; the Nketsiakrom through Essaman to Ngyinamoa Bakamu Bridge drain; the GNFS through Bisa Abrewa to Ngyinamoa Bakamu drain; and the Essei Lagoon through Soji Krom to Sekondi Kokompe drain.

For Takoradi, the identified drains include the Kokompe to Adakope drain; the Market Circle through Mankessim White House to Kokompe drain; the SDA Clinic through Airforce Gate to Adakope drain; and the Bompeh to Crusaders School drain.

In Essikadu, the exercise covers the culvert in front of the Essipong CHPS Compound; the Madanfo Hospital to Las Palmas drain; the Kansaworodo Bridge to Ntankoful Latter-day Saints Church drain; the Agric New Site through Ahinkofikrom to Ahantaman SHS Junction drain; the B.U to Bakado drain; the Nkroful Blossom Lodge culvert through Phastor Limited to Kansaworodo Basic School drain; and the Diabene Welding Shop through Genesis Basic School to the Kansaworodo Assemblies of God drain.

Alhaji Kamal noted that due to the condition and structure of some drains, both manual labour and heavy-duty machinery would be deployed to complete the desilting and disinfection exercise efficiently.

“…with the help of the assembly, we have been able to work out a foolproof strategy to ensure that flooding is reduced. We have assembled the necessary human resources as well as the machinery needed for the exercise,” he added.

The NADMO Director also expressed concern over the persistent practice of indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains by residents and businesses, describing it as one of the main causes of flooding in the metropolis.

To address the problem, he revealed that authorities have agreed to intensify enforcement of sanitation bylaws, including arrests and spot fines for individuals caught dumping waste into drainage systems.

“It is worrying that residents and even some businesses find it convenient to use drains as dumping sites. Our bylaws on indiscriminate littering are explicit. What we will be intensifying is the effort by our officers to carry out arrests and impose spot fines,” he warned.

NADMO officials and sanitation teams have already begun work on some of the identified drains as part of broader flood prevention efforts ahead of the peak rainy season.