The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Hon. Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, embarked on a working visit to the Ayawaso West Municipality on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, to assess the progress of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.

The $200 million initiative, funded by the World Bank, aims to enhance flood risk management, solid waste disposal, and access to critical infrastructure in flood-prone low-income communities across 17 Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies in the Greater Accra region.

Accompanied by key officials including Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfoh, GARID Coordinator, Mr. C.K. Opoku, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Kofi Simpeh, the Municipal Development Planning Officer, Mr. Domingo Lekettey, the Municipal Roads Engineer and other officials, the Deputy Minister inspected the major drainage works within the municipality. It was observed that desilting and dredging have been done at Westlands and Blue Gate Mempeasem, with ongoing works in multiple areas.

Expressing satisfaction with the progress witnessed during the visit, Hon. Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah commended the Ayawaso West Assembly for its unwavering commitment to the project's success. He emphasized that the issue of flooding had become a pressing national concern that necessitated collaborative action to devise and implement effective flood control measures, thereby safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens.

Underlining the significance of preserving and enhancing drainage infrastructure for the safety and well-being of residents, Hon. Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah issued a stern warning to officials within the various assemblies. He unequivocally stated that any compromise in the execution of the GARID Project would not be tolerated. In contrast to previous practices where funding reductions were imposed on assemblies, Hon. Korsah stressed that officials would be held personally accountable for any negligence that endangered residents.

During community engagements, the Deputy Minister also called upon residents in the municipality to embrace behavioral changes concerning waste disposal practices and conscientiously choose appropriate building sites.