The Hon. Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, accompanied by some officials, has toured some areas in the Ho Municipality, on Thursday, 13^th July, 2023 following a downpour which occurred on the 8^th of July 2023 to inspect the havoc caused.

The officials included the Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr. Augustus K. Awity; Regional Director of Department of Urban Roads, Mr. Edward Annan; Regional Director of National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ms. Ivy Amewugah; Members of the Regional Security Council; Engineers from the Works Department of Ho Municipal Assembly; and Engineers from the Ghana Hydrological Authority.

The Hon. Regional Minister and the team visited and inspected five (5) affected areas, namely the Medical Village, Trafalgar Bridge, Barracks Bridge, Civic Centre and Togbe Adzimah Kofe Bridge. A number of affected drains were also inspected.

Addressing the media during the tour, the Hon. Regional Minister stated that considering the loss of properties and devastation caused by the floods, urgent interventions such as diversion, desilting and dredging of some drainage systems would be carried out. He stated that it was identified that some drains (culverts and gutters) had been choked with solid waste, preventing huge volume of water from passing through them.

He noted that some of the affected areas required redesigning and re- engineering which government was committed to executing.

Dr. Letsa expressed the expectation that a comprehensive report with the necessary recommendations for actions and measures to avert future occurrence of the flooding would be presented to his office by the Technical Team which accompanied him.

He, however, entreated Management of the Ho Municipal Assembly to carry out the necessary demolition of movable and immovable structures including buildings without permits in or too close to the waterways.

The Regional Engineer of the Ghana Hydrological Authority, Mr. Kennedy Kludjesson, on his part, attributed the flooding to the inadequacy of the existing culverts to contain the flow of the water volumes.  He nonetheless stated that plans were underway to enhance the drainage capacity. He assured that a Technical Assessment Report would soon be made available.

The Regional Director NADMO, Madam Ivy Amewugah, stated that the number of affected areas and victims had increased due to the day-long showers on the 8^th of July 2023 and subsequent downpours. He nevertheless indicated that NADMO was working assiduously to enumerate the victims in order to provide them with the requisite interventions and supports.

She indicated that some relief items including food, and mattresses were available for distribution to the victims.

Interacting with some residents in the affected areas, the Hon. Regional Minister assured them of support from the Government, and the Municipal Assembly to resolve the flooding issues. He entreated them to collaborate with technical officers of the State to ensure the safety of lives and property anytime it rains.

He seized the opportunity to entreat all residents of the Region to take the necessary precautions as the Region continues to experience more and heavy rains in the coming days.