The Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has assured Parliament that the government is intensifying efforts to address flooding, housing shortages, water challenges, and coastal erosion as the country prepares for the upcoming rainy season.

Appearing before the Government Assurances Committee on Thursday, March 19, the minister outlined a range of ongoing and planned interventions aimed at strengthening infrastructure and improving living conditions across the country.

Flood preparedness ahead of rainy season

Addressing concerns about Ghana’s perennial flooding, the minister said his ministry is working closely with relevant agencies to implement a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy.

He indicated that preparations are underway to ensure better coordination and response before the rains begin, adding that Ghanaians would be given a detailed update on the government’s flood preparedness measures in the coming weeks.

As part of immediate interventions, the Ministry disclosed that plans are underway to undertake dredging works in flood-prone areas, including the Kwesimintsim enclave in the Western region, in collaboration with the Hydrological Services Department once the necessary funding is released.

The assurance comes amid growing concerns about the impact of heavy rains on communities, particularly in urban centres where drainage challenges have contributed to recurring floods.

Expanding affordable housing across the country

Beyond flood management, the minister outlined the government’s broader housing agenda aimed at tackling Ghana’s housing deficit.

He disclosed that the Tema Development Corporation is rolling out new housing projects in the Volta Region, while the State Housing Company is advancing plans to construct affordable housing units at Dedesua in the Ashanti Region.

In addition, the government has begun piloting District Affordable Housing scheme projects in at least eight districts as part of a nationwide strategy to expand access to housing.

The minister explained that the approach is intended to decentralise housing delivery and ensure that more communities benefit from government-supported housing schemes.

Saglemi project set for revival

On the long-stalled Saglemi Housing Project, the minister told the committee that the government has secured a transaction agreement with a strategic investor to restart the project.

He stated that about $200 million has already been invested in the project and expressed optimism that ongoing negotiations would pave the way for the completion and eventual allocation of the housing units.

According to him, the recovery process began under the previous administration and is now being pursued further with the same transaction advisor to ensure the project delivers the intended benefits.

Water supply and quality challenges

On water management, the minister acknowledged persistent challenges affecting water supply in parts of the country, particularly issues relating to high turbidity levels in water sources.

He said environmental and human activities continue to impact water quality despite ongoing interventions, emphasising that sustained efforts and collaboration among stakeholders are being pursued to resolve the problem.

In the Northern Region, the minister disclosed that feasibility studies for the Tamale Water Project are currently being undertaken by the World Bank and explained that once the studies are completed, contractual processes will commence to help address long-standing water shortages in the area.

Coastal protection and regulatory reforms

The minister also briefed the committee on progress with coastal protection initiatives, indicating that several sea defence projects have commenced and are advancing steadily to safeguard vulnerable communities along Ghana’s coastline.

Mr Adjei announced that a draft Rent Bill will soon be reintroduced in Parliament to strengthen the legal framework governing rental housing and address gaps identified in earlier proposals.

Committee's Calls

Members of the Government Assurances committee, chaired by Member of Parliament for Bimbila, Dominic Nitiwul, raised concerns about delays in fulfilling some assurances given by the government and urged the need for heads of MDAs to be proactive in fulfilling promises.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction with agencies under the ministry. The Committee further urged the Ministry to adopt more formal and decisive engagement mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation of commitments made to Parliament.