The Accra Metropolitan Assembly, in collaboration with The Or Foundation and the Kantamanto Obroni Wawu Business Association, has begun a major desilting exercise on the Okai Kwei Road storm drain at Kantamanto to address persistent flooding and sanitation challenges in the area.
A total of 154 waste workers, drawn from Tide Turners and the June 4 Task Force, have been deployed for the operation. The team is accessing the underground drainage system through newly created entry points to remove years of accumulated waste.
Within the first 12 hours of work, about 400 metres of the heavily silted drain had been cleared, with approximately 60 tonnes of plastic, silt, and textile waste removed. Authorities estimate that an additional 120 tonnes will be cleared as the exercise progresses.
The drain, which runs from Tema Station through Okai Kwei Road to the June 4 Market and onward into the Korle Lagoon, is reported to have gone without desilting since its construction.
This has led to severe blockages and recurrent flooding, even after short periods of rainfall.
Speaking to the media, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to working with stakeholders to improve drainage infrastructure, sanitation, and flood prevention measures across the city.
Head of Waste Management at the AMA, Engineer Solomon Noi, noted that the enclosed design of the drain, with limited access points, has made routine maintenance difficult over the years, contributing to the current state of blockage.
