The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has issued a directive halting construction of the China Mall project located at Kenkey Factory, a residential area in the heart of Koforidua.
The minister’s decision, announced over the weekend, comes in response to growing public outcry over flooding issues allegedly caused by ongoing construction work at the site.
The China Mall, which was expected to be one of the region’s major commercial developments, has been under construction for several months.
Local residents, however, have raised red flags, submitting formal complaints and petitions to the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC).
Their primary concern: repeated and worsening flooding in the area, which they believe is directly linked to the project’s land works and drainage system.
Awatey, addressing the media and local leaders, stressed that the temporary suspension is not a termination of the project, but a necessary pause to evaluate environmental and safety implications.
“Flooding remains one of the most dangerous environmental risks in our communities,” she stated.
“Beyond the inconvenience, it threatens lives, destroys property, and poses serious public health risks through the spread of waterborne diseases.”
She further explained that an independent technical team would be tasked with conducting a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of the construction site.
The goal, according to the Minister, is to identify whether current engineering practices align with safety standards and to recommend appropriate mitigation strategies if they do not.
The China Mall, once completed, is expected to create hundreds of jobs and stimulate local economic activity, making it a significant development in the region.
However, the Minister emphasized that economic growth should never come at the cost of community safety.
“While we welcome investment and development, it must not endanger the people it is meant to serve,” she asserted.
Awatey’s directive has been widely welcomed by affected residents, many of whom have long expressed frustration over the lack of immediate government intervention.
Some described the flooding as “unbearable” during recent heavy rains, with several homes and businesses suffering damage.
The project developers, who have yet to issue a formal response, are expected to meet with regional authorities and environmental consultants in the coming days to discuss the next steps and comply with any new guidelines that may emerge from the review.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
