The government has intensified efforts to tackle the recurring flooding situation across the country with the deployment of a special military-led flood mitigation taskforce headed by Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who disclosed that Brigadier General Okae-Yeboah has been tasked to lead what he described as an “uncompromising, robust, and all-action Flood Mitigation Exercise” aimed at protecting lives and property.
According to the Minister, the Director General of Joint Operations of the Ghana Armed Forces will officially address the nation at 11:00am Friday July 3, to brief the public on the operations of the special exercise and outline immediate measures being implemented to prevent further flooding in vulnerable communities.
The intervention follows widespread flooding incidents recorded in several parts of the country after recent heavy torrential rains, which left many residents displaced, destroyed homes and businesses, and raised fresh concerns about the nation’s drainage systems and urban planning challenges.
Government’s decision to place the exercise under the leadership of a senior military officer is expected to bring urgency, discipline and coordinated action to ongoing flood control operations.
Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, who currently serves as Director General of Joint Operations of the Ghana Armed Forces, is expected to coordinate emergency response teams, support desilting and drainage clearance operations, and supervise rapid interventions in flood-prone areas.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu indicated that the exercise forms part of broader government efforts to decisively address the flooding menace and reassure citizens of their safety during the peak of the rainy season.
The planned public briefing is expected to provide further details on operational strategies, areas earmarked for intervention, inter-agency collaboration, and precautionary measures residents are expected to observe.
Many people have in recent days called for stronger enforcement of sanitation regulations, improved drainage infrastructure, and immediate action against indiscriminate dumping of waste into gutters and waterways, which experts say continue to worsen flooding across urban centres.
The military-led operation is therefore expected to complement existing efforts by local authorities, emergency services and sanitation agencies to reduce the impact of floods and improve public safety nationwide.
By 1960news.com
