The Ketu North Municipal Assembly has taken urgent action to resolve a severe flooding crisis at the Weta Irrigation Scheme, which is currently threatening more than 880 hectares of vital rice farms. An engineering assessment revealed that a natural waterway had been obstructed by salt pond bunds built by a private company, Diamond Solar Salt. This blockage prevented excess water from flowing properly into the local lagoon, causing a backflow that submerged large areas of farmland, destroyed branch irrigation canals, and damaged local road networks.

To protect the livelihoods of hundreds of local rice farmers, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Reverend Martin Amenaki, held an emergency stakeholder meeting with community chiefs, representatives from the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Following the assessment, the MCE issued a strict directive ordering Diamond Solar Salt to clear the obstructions within 24 hours. Because the company’s primary excavator was undergoing repairs, they were instructed to immediately secure alternative heavy machinery to comply with the order.

Moving forward, a delegation from the Assembly visited the affected agricultural basin to monitor compliance and evaluate the structural damage. In addition to forcing the immediate removal of the blockage, the Assembly announced long-term plans to completely dredge the irrigation scheme’s canal network once the water levels recede to a safe depth. Local leadership has appealed to corporate organizations, traditional authorities, and community members to cooperate fully to ensure agricultural productivity is restored safely and peacefully.