Resumption of Dredging Activities on the Odaw River
The Ghana Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project has restarted full-scale dredging operations on the Odaw River, located near the Neoplan Station at Circle. This marks a significant step forward after a brief pause to clear accumulated sand and dredged materials from the riverbanks.
The decision to resume work came after weeks of preparation, during which the contractor was tasked with removing the dredged material that had been left along the banks. This action was necessary to prevent the materials from washing back into the river and obstructing water flow.
In an exclusive interview, Mr Philip Dornyo, Communications Specialist at GARID, explained that dredging activities were underway along several sections of the Odaw channel under a World Bank-funded contract. He noted that the stretch around Caprice had already been completed in the first phase, prompting the contractor to move downstream.
Phased Progression of the Project
Mr Dornyo highlighted that the project is progressing in phases. The first phase, known as deferred dredging, focused on the removal of “legacy materials” such as silt and solid waste that had long choked the river. These materials had contributed significantly to the flooding issues in the area.
The second phase involves routine maintenance, structured as a performance-based contract to ensure continuous dredging. This approach aims to prevent new siltation that could lead to flooding. He also mentioned that the temporary suspension earlier in the year was at the instruction of the World Bank, which required the contractor to clear dredged materials already removed from the channel.
Addressing Challenges and Environmental Concerns
The directive from the World Bank was intended to ensure proper disposal of the materials and avoid environmental concerns. Mr Dornyo acknowledged that earlier delays had been partly due to challenges in securing adequate land for temporary handling sites to store dredged materials. However, he stated that new sites have since been secured, allowing uninterrupted work along the remaining sections of the river.
Complementary Flood-Control Interventions
Beyond dredging, Mr Dornyo outlined that GARID is implementing several complementary flood-control interventions across flood-prone parts of Accra to tackle the city’s perennial flooding problem. At Kaneshie, two major drains are under construction—one from Accra Academy through the ICGC Christ Temple area, and another through the Abossey Okai Market—both designed to channel stormwater directly into the Odaw.
Similarly, a major drain within the Paloma-Asylum Down enclave that feeds into the Odaw is being reconstructed. In other areas such as Achimota, Nima, Akweteyman, Alogboshie, and others, new drainage systems are under construction to protect residents from flooding.
Broader Impact of the GARID Project
Mr Dornyo further emphasized that the dredging forms part of the broader GARID Project, initiated in the aftermath of the June 3, 2015 flood disaster. The project aims to reduce flood risks and improve resilience across the capital.
Under the project’s solid waste management and metropolitan strengthening components, 17 municipal and district assemblies within the Odaw basin have received compactor trucks and waste management equipment to improve refuse collection and disposal. These assemblies are also being supported with dedicated funds to desilt secondary and tertiary drains ahead of the rainy season, ensuring that flood control measures are implemented collectively from upstream to downstream.
Project Timeline and Funding
The GARID Project, funded by the World Bank, is scheduled to run until December 2027. Its comprehensive approach includes not only dredging and drainage but also waste management and community engagement to create a more resilient urban environment.