E/R:Kyebi Zongo Residents Decry Persistent Flooding, Blame Mining, Choked Drains, and Poor Coordination Among Agencies

Scores of residents in Kyebi Zongo, Pano and Mines Electoral Area are living in fear as persistent flooding continues to ravage their community.

They blame the situation on illegal mining activities, indiscriminate waste disposal, and a narrow tunnel culvert that cannot handle the volume of water during heavy rains.

The residents say they have reported the problem to the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly several times, but little has been done.

They are now appealing to government and relevant authorities to intervene before lives and property are lost.

According to the residents, the main tunnel culvert in the area is too small to contain runoff, forcing water to spill into homes and streets.

The situation is worsened by illegal miners and some unscrupulous persons who dump refuse into drains, blocking water flow and causing avoidable flooding that destroys property.

Mr. Aikins Ofori, Municipal Director of NADMO for Abuakwa South, confirmed the complaints have reached his office.

He said assessments were conducted and forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Municipal Works Department, but no action has been taken.

He attributed the flooding to unregulated construction in waterways and indiscriminate dumping of waste by illegal miners who have migrated from the Northern Region.

Mr. Ofori also expressed frustration over weak inter-agency collaboration. He cited a case at Akyem Asiakwa where NADMO reported a filling station under construction in a waterlogged area, but the EPA insisted its documents showed “everything was alright,” leaving NADMO powerless to act.

He called for stronger coordination among state agencies to address such environmental threats.

The Municipal Environmental Officer, Mr. Reuben Kennedy Atepreh, also acknowledged the residents’ concerns. He warned of a surge in cholera and malaria cases during the rainy season if the drains remain blocked.

He said his outfit has intensified public sensitization on proper waste disposal and that plans are far advanced to desilt identified drains across the municipality.

He cautioned that anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately will face prosecution under the law.