Following the recent severe rains last week, Wassa Amenfi East Member of Parliament Hon. Nicholas Amankwah visited certain places in his municipality that were hit by floods.
Many people of flooded districts in Wassa Amenfi East have lamented the constant flooding in Wassa Akropong, the municipal center of the Western region, which has destroyed homes and livelihoods.
The damage brought on by the flood prompted the MP to travel to places like Akropong-China Market, Farmers, and Christ Apostolic Church in order to learn firsthand about the disaster the rain has brought about.
Additionally, he wanted to show his support for the situation and offer a long-term fix to prevent it from happening again.
Some of the affected residents who narrated the incident to the MP attributed the incessant flood to the inadequate drainage system, clogged drainages and canals, and buildings constructed on waterways.
While many residents of the heavily flooded areas have relocated, some remained despite the hurdle, attributing their stay to financial constraints.
According to them, the geographically Akropong is a low-lying area and sometimes prone to flooding.
They added that although gutters have been constructed to help with the easy flow of water, however some residents still dump refuse into the gutters choking them.
As a result, the member of parliament known as Home Boy pleaded with the locals to stop the practice and instead use the provided refuse dump to dispose of their trash.
Building in flood-prone regions, which has historically led to floods in the municipality, has been discouraged by Home Boy among the locals.
Additionally, it was mentioned that it was getting harder to regulate flooding in Amenfi East due to certain people’s mentality of continuing to develop in illegal locations, obstructing the natural routes of flash floods during heavy rain.
He also reassured them that desilting work on the clogged gutters will start soon in the interim.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Kaakyire Kwasi Afari