Greater Accra Regional Minister Sets 50-Day Target to Fix Street Lights, Vows to Tackle Flooding and Street Hawkers

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Akweley Ocloo, has announced an ambitious plan to resolve key infrastructure issues in the region, with a particular focus on street lights. Speaking to journalists on Monday, February 3, the Minister set a 50-day target to restore at least 70% of faulty street lights across the city.

"In fact, within 50 days in office, all these things should be fixed," she said. "Not even all, but we'll make sure that at least 70% of it should be fixed."

Beyond street lights, the Minister addressed other pressing concerns, including the issue of street hawkers who have encroached on major roads, contributing to traffic congestion. When asked if there would be a radical approach to removing them, Ocloo assured that the law would be enforced.

"We are going to use the task force of the MMDAs and the security services to do that," she said firmly.

On the recurring issue of flooding in Accra, the Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to improve drainage systems, particularly around the Odaw Basin, under a project initiated in 2019 called Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID).

"I'm trusting that when we liaise with the stakeholders involved to fast-track this project, I believe it will resolve the issue of flooding," she explained.

Ocloo also emphasized the importance of proper building permits to prevent construction in flood-prone areas.

"We are going to ensure that before they even give the permit, let's see where the person bought the land, whether it's convenient or not convenient for the person to build," she stressed. "If we are able to do this, trust me, flooding in Greater Accra, even Ghana as a whole, will reduce."

When pressed for a specific timeline for the flood control measures, the Minister said she was not yet able to provide one but assured the public of improvements by the next rainy season.

"Definitely, definitely. I can assure you," she said confidently.

The Minister's bold commitments signal a proactive approach to addressing the region’s infrastructure challenges, with residents eagerly waiting to see the promised changes come to fruition.