GAF Deploy 48 Engineer Regiment to Demolish Illegal Waterway Structures
After the catastrophic June 29 floods that left over 48,000 residents displaced across the country's southern economic belt, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has taken over operational coordination of a massive, nationwide post-flood recovery and engineering exercise.
In a public briefing on Friday, July 3, 2026, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah announced that specialized personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment are deploying heavy machinery to open choked drainage networks and clear major waterways.
Crucially, the military confirmed a strict "zero tolerance" policy for human behavior that threatens public safety: any commercial or residential structures illegally built inside drainage reservations or natural waterways will be demolished without delay.
The aggressive military intervention follows directives from President John Dramani Mahama, who conducted an aerial inspection of the capital's hardest-hit zones—including Weija-Gbawe, Kaneshie, and the Klagon wetlands.
Addressing the perennial delays that often stall flood-mitigation efforts due to public pushback, the President emphasized that the time for sentimentality is over, stating that when disasters occur, the deadly consequences affect everyone.
To ensure long-term relief, the GAF will work alongside NADMO and local MMDAs to not only pull down these illegal structures but physically clear the rubble instantly so stormwaters can flow unimpeded into the Atlantic Ocean.
This drastic security measure comes as data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) underscores the sheer scale of the climate emergency, revealing that Accra recorded a staggering 333 mm of rain in June 2026 alone, with downpours on 22 out of the month's 30 days.
To support the multi-agency operation and mitigate the crisis, the presidency has authorized the immediate release of GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund for emergency relief, drainage dredging, and infrastructure recovery.
As heavy excavators deploy to high-risk zones, commuters are strongly urged to cooperate with the Ghana Police Service and follow temporary traffic diversions along major arterial routes.
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