As the rainy season nears, the Ashanti Regional office of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is stepping up efforts to prevent the kind of flooding that has caused serious damage and loss of life in recent years.
Flooding remains a persistent threat in the region, especially in areas where drains are clogged, waterways are blocked by construction, and waste is dumped indiscriminately.
Last year, several lives were lost and properties destroyed due to heavy rains.
This year, NADMO is shifting its approach from simply reacting to disasters to taking steps to prevent them.
The agency has identified key flood-prone communities such as Owabi, Aboabo Pelele, Akwatialia, Sawaba, Anloga Junction, Bremang UGC, and Kronum Abuohia.
The focus is now on clearing blocked drains and desilting major waterways in these vulnerable zones.
“We are prioritizing the desilting and dredging of major streams, drains, and clogged gutters in these vulnerable areas to ensure the free flow of water,” said Mohammed Nasir Ibrahim, Ashanti Regional Director of NADMO.
To support this initiative, NADMO staff are undergoing training in disaster prevention techniques.
The agency is also working with local authorities, residents, and other stakeholders to encourage community participation and raise awareness.
Some residents in high-risk areas have begun taking precautions. A few have relocated temporarily, while others are cleaning their surroundings and opening drains to reduce flood risk.
These early actions, both by officials and the public, signal a strong push to reduce the region’s flood vulnerability this year.