In a move aimed at bolstering flood resilience and sanitation oversight, the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has distributed advanced drones to 17 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) under the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.

The handover ceremony, held in Accra on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, featured the introduction of the DJI Matrice 30 RTK Drones, designed to enhance real-time urban management and disaster response.

Dr. Kojo Ohene Sarfo, the GARID Project Coordinator, emphasized that the high-tech drones are not for recreational use at social events but are critically intended to monitor environmental challenges and improve disaster preparedness.

The drones are expected to play a pivotal role in monitoring the buffers of water bodies to prevent encroachment, surveilling solid waste hotspots, and strengthening development control.

This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to address the persistent flooding and waste management issues in the Odaw Basin and beyond.

Prior to the distribution, 37 officials from the beneficiary Assemblies, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), and the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) underwent extensive training.

This training, conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), ensures that the officials are equipped to operate the drones efficiently.

In addition to the 17 MMDAs, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) were each presented with a drone.

The MLGDRD, under the stewardship of Minister Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah and represented by Minister of State Osei Bonsu Amoah, has been proactive in supporting the Assemblies with financial grants. Since 2022, a total of $1.95 million has been disbursed to assist in the operations and maintenance of drainage systems in flood-prone areas.

The introduction of drones is expected to significantly aid the MMDAs in their oversight functions, providing a bird's-eye view to monitor and act against illegal dumping and other activities that exacerbate flood risks and sanitation problems.

The presentation of the drones follows the inauguration of a steering committee and inter-jurisdictional coordination management to further support the objectives of the GARID project.