The Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing has commended Dredge Masters Limited for their ongoing efforts in dredging the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon in Accra.
However, the committee has strongly cautioned Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), particularly the Mayor of Accra, to take immediate and decisive action against the persistent issues of encroachment along waterways and poor sanitation, which threaten to undermine the progress of the dredging project and exacerbate flooding.
During a field inspection on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Vincent Asamoah Oppong, expressed satisfaction with the work undertaken by Dredge Masters, stating, “So far, you (in reference to Dredge Masters) are doing a very good job and we are impressed with what you are doing.” This monitoring exercise was conducted as part of Parliament’s efforts to assess flood control measures in anticipation of the upcoming rainy season in Accra.
Despite the commendation for the dredging works, Hon. Asamoah Oppong issued a strong charge to local authorities: “With the rainy season fast approaching, it is imperative that the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and particularly the Mayor of Accra, takes immediate steps to ensure these matters are well addressed. Sanitation must be taken seriously, and encroachers must be relocated. We cannot afford to be reactive. We must be proactive if we want to save lives and reduce economic losses associated with flooding.”
He emphasized the crucial role of law enforcement and local government in tackling the root causes of Accra’s perennial flooding, noting the poor enforcement of existing environmental and sanitation laws. “The district and municipal assemblies are key players in this. Issues of sanitation and encroachment fall squarely within their jurisdiction… Along this river (Odaw River), for instance, there are numerous encroachments, and from what we have been told, some of these individuals were even compensated to vacate but they still remain here,” he pointed out.
The Committee also highlighted a significant operational challenge: the temporary deposition of dredged silt along the riverbanks. Hon. Asamoah Oppong warned that if these areas are not properly managed and remain occupied by encroachers, the removed material could easily be washed back into the drains during heavy rains, rendering the entire dredging project ineffective and “defeating the purpose of dredging, which is to clear the waterways and prevent flooding.”
Mr. Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah, MP for Techiman South and a committee member, echoed these concerns, expressing worry over the increasing encroachment in flood-prone zones. “It is worrying to see people putting up buildings in flood-prone zones, despite repeated warnings. This is dangerous. We must begin to prioritise human life over illegal construction… Whenever floods destroy lives and properties, the state is forced to spend huge sums on relief and reconstruction and funds that could have gone into schools, hospitals, and other essential services are used for this,” he stated, calling for strict enforcement of planning and sanitation regulations.
Ing. Samuel Borquaye, Deputy Managing Director of Dredge Masters Limited, explained that the company is currently undertaking maintenance dredging of the Odaw River, progressing from Caprice towards Korle Lagoon, to desilt the channels ahead of the rainy season. He highlighted the challenge of indiscriminate refuse dumping by residents, which complicates the dredging process, and expressed a vision for transforming the area into a tourist-friendly zone with proper planning and investment, contingent on addressing infrastructure and public behavior.
