Old Tafo MCE Abubakar Sadiq Pledges Drainage Infrastructure Overhaul Amidst Growing Health and Flooding Concerns

Residents of Old Tafo in the Ashanti Region have voiced urgent concerns over poorly constructed drainage systems, which they claim pose significant health risks and threaten the community with severe flooding. During a recent national sanitation exercise, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Old Tafo, Abubakar Sadiq, acknowledged the structural defects and committed to taking immediate action to address the infrastructure failures. The core of the grievance lies in the stagnant water that has become a breeding ground for disease, further complicated by the imminent threat of property damage during heavy rains. The primary technical issue centers on drains that lack the necessary gradient or slope to facilitate proper water flow, leading to chronic stagnation. Residents have also criticized the hazardous and counterproductive practice of laying water pipes directly through these gutters, which further obstructs the drainage and exacerbates sanitation problems. The community warned that without a total overhaul of the current system, the upcoming rainy seasons could lead to catastrophic flooding. These infrastructure flaws have turned what should be protective measures into environmental hazards that residents say can no longer be ignored. While inspecting the affected areas, MCE Abubakar Sadiq noted that some of the existing drains were fundamentally flawed from their initial construction phase. He emphasized that the Municipal Assembly would prioritize corrective measures to ensure the drains function as intended and mitigate the risk of overflow. However, he also highlighted the critical role of the community in maintaining these systems, noting that human interference and the illegal disposal of solid waste into gutters often contribute to the blockage of even well-constructed channels. The cleanup exercise served as a reminder of the broader national sanitation initiative, though local officials expressed disappointment over the lack of participation from some community members. Moving forward, the Municipal Assembly has signaled that future sanitation exercises will be strictly enforced, with potential penalties for those who fail to comply. The long-term success of the MCE’s pledge will depend on a combination of engineering interventions and a significant shift in community attitude toward public hygiene and the protection of local infrastructure.