Tano South Assembly takes early action to prevent flooding
The Tano South Municipal Assembly has outlined proactive measures being undertaken to prevent flooding and improve sanitation as part of the government's broader agenda to build cleaner, safer and more resilient communities.
The assembly said it had adopted strict enforcement of planning regulations, public education and sustained clean-up exercises across the municipality.
Speaking after the monthly clean-up exercise at Bechem last Saturday, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong, said lessons from recent flooding in parts of Accra and other urban centres had reinforced the need for the Assembly to act early to prevent similar occurrences in the area.
"We have put a team in place to ensure that these things become a thing of the past. We do not want to wait until the problem occurs before taking action," he said.
Control measures
Mr Frimpong explained that the Assembly had strengthened development control measures to prevent development on watercourses and flood-prone areas.
He said prospective developers were required to obtain building permits and allow technical officers to inspect proposed sites before construction could begin.
"If you want to build in a watercourse area or a flood zone, you will never be allowed to do so.
We inspect every proposed site before approval is granted," he said.
Mr Frimpong warned that structures erected without the necessary permits and found to be obstructing watercourses or posing environmental risks would be removed.
Sanitation drive
He said the municipality had sustained the National Sanitation Day initiative, with the exercise already held at Bechem, Techimantia and Derma.
The MCE explained that increasing public participation in the programme demonstrated growing awareness of the importance of environmental cleanliness.
Mr Frimpong said the Assembly was placing greater emphasis on public education to ensure lasting behavioural change among residents.
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