Stanbic Bank Ghana’s timely intervention to donate relief items worth GH¢400,000 to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in support of communities affected by recent flooding and fire incidents across Accra and other parts of the country is highly commendable.
This Paper believes it is a humane gesture that must be replicated by corporates in the country to bring much needed relief and assistance for thousands of Ghanaians who have been affected in various ways.
On Wednesday 3rd June, just last week, a heavy downpour and subsequent fire outbreak displaced families, disrupted livelihoods and caused significant hardship for residents and market operators in Accra and its environs.
The donation comprises essential protective equipment and food items designed to meet immediate and medium-term needs of displaced persons. These include wellington boots, raincoats, life jackets, student mattresses, blankets, toiletries and mosquito repellents, as well as rice, cooking oil, tomato puree, canned fish and sanitary pads (dignity kits).
Accra was once again inundated following heavy rainfall last Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The flooding left hundreds of commuters stranded and caused severe traffic congestion on major roads across the capital.
The flooded roads resulted in long queues of vehicles on several major routes, with motorists struggling to navigate through the rising waters. As a result, some vehicles became stranded after getting stuck in the floodwaters.
Many pedestrians were also compelled to walk through flooded streets to their destinations, while some residents and workers remained trapped in their homes and workplaces. The Odaw River was full to the brim and nearly overflowed its banks following the downpour.
Measures to strengthen sanitation enforcement, eliminate indiscriminate dumping of waste and improve institutional accountability among public agencies responsible for development control have been prioritized.
Poor engineering designs, inadequate drainage infrastructure, ineffective waste management systems and weak enforcement of planning regulations have contributed to recurring problems such as flooding, congestion and environmental degradation.
The current continuous rain being experienced within southern Ghana is expected to cause flash floods within the Greater Accra Region, particularly in low-lying areas, warns GMeT.
The World Bank estimates that improving management of waste and flood risk in Accra would benefit over 2.5 million people in the Odaw River Basin of Greater Accra Region.
Post Views: 15
Discover more from The Business & Financial Times
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
