A large-scale intervention to tackle chronic flooding and poor sanitation has commenced in Accra, as the Accra Metropolitan Assembly teams up with The Or Foundation and the Kantamanto Obroni Wawu Business Association to dredge the heavily choked Okai Kwei Road storm drain at Kantamanto.
The operation has mobilised 154 waste workers from Tide Turners and the June 4 Task Force, who are navigating the underground drainage network through newly opened access points to extract years of built-up debris.
In just the first 12 hours, crews cleared roughly 400 metres of the clogged drain, hauling out an estimated 60 tonnes of plastic waste, silt, and discarded textiles. Officials project that an additional 120 tonnes will be removed as work intensifies.
The drainage channel — stretching from Tema Station through Okai Kwei Road to the June 4 Market before emptying into the Korle Lagoon — has reportedly not undergone desilting since it was constructed.
This prolonged neglect has resulted in severe blockages, triggering frequent flooding even after minimal rainfall.
According to Engineer Solomon Noi, Head of Waste Management at the AMA, the drain’s enclosed structure and limited access points have historically made routine maintenance challenging, allowing waste to accumulate to critical levels.
City authorities say the exercise forms part of broader efforts to reduce flood risks in Accra’s busiest commercial hubs, particularly in Kantamanto, where trading activities are often disrupted by waterlogged conditions.
Traders and commuters have welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that the sustained cleanup will bring lasting relief and improve sanitation across the area.
With tonnes of waste still expected to be removed, officials say the operation will continue in phases, as they work to restore the full capacity of the drainage system and prevent future flooding disasters.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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