The Ministry of Works and Housing has issued a warning that all illegal structures built on waterways and wetlands will be demolished as part of measures to prevent perennial flooding in the country.
Sector Minister, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, said the government will no longer tolerate developers who illegally reclaim wetlands and construct buildings on natural drainage channels, activities he noted are worsening flooding in Accra and other parts of the country.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after inspecting a wetland at Dansoman Otodjor in the Greater Accra Region, Mr Adjei stressed that authorities will take decisive action against such encroachments.
“We are going to come after those people building in the waterways. With the rains about to start, we will not allow what they are doing to cause flooding in Accra. We will move in to remove all those structures they are trying to put up, and they will be penalised,” he warned.
The Minister also cautioned Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) against issuing building permits for developments on wetlands and waterways, saying such actions will not be overlooked.
“I will advise our local authorities that those giving unnecessary permits for buildings on waterways will be identified, and the law will deal with them,” he added.
Mr Adjei emphasised the need for strict enforcement of planning regulations to protect natural drainage systems and reduce the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities.
