Residents of Abuakwah Manhyia Gawao in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District of the Ashanti Region have appealed to the government and their Member of Parliament (MP) to urgently intervene following devastating floods that have caused damage to homes and destroyed personal belongings.
The residents, who say they have endured repeated flooding incidents, are worried that the situation could deteriorate further if immediate measures are not taken to address the poor drainage system and other infrastructural challenges confronting the community.
The latest flooding incident reportedly occurred after a local bridge became overwhelmed by rising floodwaters, causing water to spill into nearby residential areas and leaving several households counting their losses.
Some affected residents have reportedly lost valuable household items and other personal possessions, while the incident has heightened fears among community members over the safety of lives and property whenever it rains.
Speaking in an interview with Oheneba Dankwah Jupitar Owusu, the residents attributed the recurring flooding to choked gutters, inadequate drainage facilities and the absence of effective measures to channel rainwater away from residential areas.
According to them, the situation has turned what should ordinarily be routine rainfall into a major threat to their livelihoods, property and general wellbeing.
They explained that the existing drainage infrastructure is inadequate to contain the volume of water during heavy downpours, resulting in the overflow of water from the bridge and surrounding drainage channels into homes and other properties.
The residents expressed concern that without urgent intervention, the community could continue to experience devastating floods, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.
They are therefore appealing to the government, the Atwima Nwabiagya South District Assembly and their Member of Parliament to treat the situation as an emergency and provide the necessary resources to address the problem.
Among their immediate demands is the dredging and desilting of choked gutters, the removal of refuse and other obstructions from drainage channels, as well as the rehabilitation and improvement of the existing drainage system.
They have also called for a comprehensive assessment of the local bridge and surrounding water channels to determine the necessary engineering interventions to prevent future overflows.
Beyond the immediate clearing of gutters, the residents are demanding a permanent solution to the community’s drainage challenges, stressing that temporary interventions would not adequately address the recurring threat.
They further want improved access infrastructure to the community to ensure that residents are not cut off or subjected to unnecessary difficulties during periods of heavy rainfall.
The residents believe that addressing the problem would not only protect homes and personal property but also safeguard lives, improve sanitation and enhance the general living conditions of the people.
They have consequently urged the relevant authorities to visit the affected areas, assess the extent of the damage and engage the community to develop a lasting solution.
The residents insist that urgent government attention is needed to prevent another flooding disaster and restore confidence among households whose livelihoods and properties remain vulnerable to the threat of rising floodwaters.
