Residents of Cambodia, a residential community near Community 18 in Tema, are calling on the Tema West Municipal Assembly to demolish a warehouse belonging to Amadia Shopping Centre, which they say is worsening flooding in the area.
In a petition presented to the Municipal Chief Executive on Wednesday, October 29, 2026, the Cambodia Residents Association alleged that the warehouse, located near the Toyota Roundabout, was constructed on portions of a major drainage channel, obstructing the flow of stormwater.
“A primary cause of community flooding is the obstruction near the Toyota Roundabout, where the Amadia Shopping Centre filled in portions of the main drainage channel to construct a warehouse,” the association stated.
The residents are therefore calling on the Assembly to “prioritise human life over commercial interests by demolishing the warehouse and reclaiming this critical waterway.”
According to the Association, almost every household in Cambodia was affected by flooding following heavy rainfall on June 29, with damages to homes and property running into millions of cedis. They fear another severe downpour could cause further damage and endanger lives.
The Association also blamed abandoned drainage works for the persistent flooding. It said works initiated by the Tema West Municipal Assembly and the Department of Urban Roads in 2019 were left uncompleted, leaving parts of the community without adequate stormwater infrastructure.
The residents are asking the Assembly to complete outstanding works, including construction of a storm drain at Felicia Close and drainage diversions at Bugum-Chugu Street and Abankaba Street. They are also requesting about 3,850 feet of new gutters and repairs to about 19 metres of existing drains.
The petition highlighted that the drainage configuration near Felicia Close is problematic, as a channel carrying water from the community meets the main gutter at about a 90-degree angle, impeding discharge and causing backflow into the community during heavy rains.
The Association further raised concerns about dredging of the main gutter by companies on the opposite bank, alleging that the activities have widened the channel towards the Cambodia community while the companies reinforce their own side, threatening the foundations of nearby homes.
It called on the Assembly to supervise all future dredging activities.
The residents also appealed for the tarring of roads in the community, arguing that drainage and road improvements should be tackled together.
The Association said residents are ready to support the completion of the drainage infrastructure through community mobilization, participation and financial contributions within their means.
“We are confident that, with the leadership and cooperation of the Municipal Assembly and the active support of the community, these long-standing drainage challenges can be addressed and the risk of future flooding significantly reduced,” the Association added.
The MCE Tema West, Ludwig Teye Totimeh received the petition and promised to act on it immediately.
