Dredging the Odaw Channel, a critical flood control project in Accra, is only 40% complete. This is according to the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project Coordinator, Ohene Sarfoh. Accra is currently facing some of its worst flooding in recent history.
Mr. Sarfoh clarified that the contractor aims to finish the main dredging by the end of this year. Routine maintenance dredging will follow to remove waste buildup over time. The GARID Project has disbursed US$127.1 million, which is 36.3% of its total US$350 million World Bank funding. The project aims to improve flood risk and solid waste management within the Odaw River Basin.
This project began in 2020 as a five-year initiative. However, delays and additional funding have pushed its completion date to December 31, 2027. Ghana's economy frequently suffers significant losses from flooding. The World Bank estimates that floods cause about 1% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in damages annually. This highlights the urgent need for effective flood mitigation measures.
Mr. Sarfoh admitted the project has not fully met its flood mitigation goals yet. He cited factors slowing down progress. These include temporary stops to remove dredged material from riverbanks. Difficulties in finding places to temporarily dump the soil also caused delays. The dredging contract, which began in February 2024, is a four-year agreement. The first year focuses on major dredging, and the next three years are for ongoing maintenance.
Beyond the Odaw Channel, major drainage construction is happening across Accra. Drainage infrastructure is complete from Accra Academy to South Kaneshie. This connects to an earlier completed section from Abeka Junction to the South Industrial Area. The next phase, from Abeka Junction to Pampaso, needs careful traffic management due to road closures.
Mr. Sarfoh's update follows heavy rains that inundated large parts of Accra. The floods disrupted transport, businesses, and public services. John Dramani Mahama stated that approximately 140 millimeters of rain fell during the recent storm. This is more than double last year's highest daily rainfall. The President blamed the flooding on intense rainfall, climate change, poor drainage, rapid urbanisation, building on waterways, and uncontrolled waste disposal. The GARID project is Ghana's first World Bank-funded urban resilience program. It also supports waste management, community upgrades, and capacity building for 17 local government bodies in the Odaw Basin. Authorities are working to strengthen Accra's resilience against increasing floods.