Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has revealed plans to demolish unauthorized structures on waterways as part of an intensified effort to combat flooding, particularly in Accra.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Dr. Kuyon emphasized that tackling the country’s ongoing flooding issues would require tough but essential measures, including the removal of illegal structures and the dredging of key water channels.
“To solve a problem, there must be some discomfort, so people will have to incur some displeasures based on the actions that will be taken to ensure that the rest of us are safe. Some structures will have to be pulled down,” Dr. Kuyon said.
He highlighted the importance of restoring the natural flow of water bodies to prevent severe consequences for communities affected by flooding.
“Those who have started filling these places will have to stop, and we will dredge these areas to restore them to their original state so they can fulfill their role in the ecosystem. If we don’t restore them, the lives within these systems will be at risk. So, dredging and demolitions are necessary to manage the flooding we expect,” he added.
While Accra is often the focal point of discussions on flooding due to the scale of the problem there, Dr. Kuyon noted that other regions of the country also experience similar challenges.
“Flooding is not only an issue in Accra, but because we see a severe problem there, the conversation tends to center around Accra,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about the fairness and technical justification for the upcoming demolitions, Dr. Kuyon assured the public that the process would not be arbitrary.
“We don’t demolish based on a layman’s perspective. We have engineers and technocrats on the team who will provide expert advice. Where structures must be removed, they will be. Where it’s possible to redirect water without damaging people’s property, we will pursue that option,” he said.
