The Chairman of the Christ Apostolic Church of Ghana, Apostle Abraham Amoh, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for agreeing to relocate the nation’s capital, but has cautioned against politicizing the process.
Speaking to the media in Accra on Monday, Apostle Amoh appealed to the President to follow due process and bring Parliament on board to ensure the relocation is done in the best interest of the nation.
“Flooding In Accra Will Continue Until We Relocate”
According to the CAC Chairman, no amount of effort will solve Accra’s perennial flooding problem until the capital is moved, because attitudinal change remains a major challenge.
“Until the relocation was done, no amount of effort could control the flooding situation in Accra since attitudinal change was a major critical factor,” he explained.
He said a properly planned new capital would reduce pressure on Accra’s overstretched infrastructure, which he blamed for practices such as building on waterways and dumping refuse into drains.
Prosecute MMDCEs Who Approve Building On Waterways
Apostle Amoh also called for stronger accountability from local authorities. He urged Parliament to enact a law that will see any *Municipal, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs)* who approve building in waterlogged areas prosecuted.
He noted that until those who issue permits for construction in waterways are punished, demolitions alone will not curb the menace.
“Now that those who issued permits for people to build in waterways are still at post without any punishment, no amount of demolition in such areas will help curb the menace,” he stated.
Suhum-Asamankese And Suhum-Koforidua Suggested For New Capital
The CAC Chairman proposed two areas for consideration as the location for the new national capital:
1. The Suhum to Asamankese stretch
2. The stretch of land from Suhum to Koforidua
He said the topography of the area makes it free from flooding, and there is enough acreage for ministries, industries and residential development, coupled with infrastructure suitable for a national capital.
Background
The issue of relocating Ghana’s capital has resurfaced several times whenever Accra experiences severe flooding.
President Mahama made similar comments recently after an aerial tour to assess damage caused by the latest floods in Accra and other parts of the country.
Apostle Amoh said the time has come for national leaders to treat the relocation as a long-term national project rather than a political talking point.
“I therefore appealed to the President not to politicize the relocation issue, but rather to follow due process and bring Parliament on board to ensure that the right thing was done for the good of the nation,” he added.
