By Regina Agana Akanteba
With about a few days for the rains to set in, Darroll Allan Tagoe of GTV Breakfast Show brought to viewers the current state of the river.
On the ”Keep an eye” segment he reports that the larger proportion of the river is still choked with filth of recyclable household materials such as plastics, a clear indication that residents nearby are responsible for the dumping of refuse.
The Odaw River is a combination of five tributaries thus from Achimota through to Alajo, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Adabraka and meets the Korle Lagoon at Agbogbloshie.
Even though there is some dredging ongoing at the Graphic Road stretch, the greater part of the Odaw is yet to be completed.
It is clear that if the situation is not promptly addressed, it would prevent the river from overflowing when the rains eventually set in.
Furthermore, until the desilting or dredging is completed within the shortest possible time, there could still be flooding. The Odaw River, which was constructed into a Canal as part of measures to end the perennial flooding in parts of Accra, can hardly hold the least shower today due to filth. The river has not only become a dumping ground for solid waste but also a receptacle for excreta. As a result of this extensive pollution, the Odaw River is virtually dead.
Besides the river choked with fifth, but, scrap dealers, traders, mechanics and squatters have taken abode on the banks of the river, compounding the woes of the heavily choked river. So, with the rainy season approaching, we are still wondering what will befall not only the enterprises but also the illegal dwellers along that stretch, if the dredging is not completed before the rains, reports Darroll Allan Tagoe.
Video attached
