By Celestine Avi
President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a sweeping, multi-agency initiative to combat the longstanding flooding crisis in the Greater Accra Region, declaring that “enough is enough” as he outlined concrete measures to save lives, protect property, and restore public confidence in urban infrastructure planning.
Speaking during a community engagement as part of his National Thank You Tour in Dodowa, President Mahama described flooding as a pressing national emergency that has taken lives, displaced families, and repeatedly brought economic activity to a standstill in the capital.
“Too many families have lost loved ones, homes have been washed away, and businesses have suffered unbearable losses,” he said. “This is unacceptable, and it must stop. We are declaring war on floods.”
He blamed the persistent disaster on a combination of man-made and environmental factors, including choked drains, unregulated construction in waterways, poor city planning, and the escalating impacts of climate change.
“We can no longer treat flooding as a seasonal inconvenience. It is a national development threat, and we are treating it as such,” President Mahama declared.
The President revealed that a dedicated flood mitigation task force has already been activated and is working across several high-risk areas. The team—composed of engineers, urban planners, environmental experts, and NADMO personnel—is currently prioritising interventions in hotspots such as the Odaw Basin, the Kaneshie-Mallam corridor, and other flood-prone zones across the region.
The comprehensive plan includes:
- Massive desilting of drains and waterways, especially those clogged with plastic waste and construction debris.
- Engineering redesigns of key drainage systems to accommodate higher volumes of water.
- Demolition or relocation of illegal structures built within waterways or obstructing runoff paths.
- Community education campaigns to curb indiscriminate dumping and improve public understanding of flood risks.
- Integration of flood control into national climate resilience policies to ensure long-term sustainability.
President Mahama emphasised that these measures will be backed by adequate funding and inter-agency coordination, led by a revitalised Ministry of Works and Housing, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NADMO, and local government authorities.
He also noted that the flood mitigation strategy forms part of a broader climate resilience agenda under the NDC’s “Resetting Ghana” platform, which envisions safer, smarter, and more sustainable urban development.
“This is not just about building drains; it’s about building a resilient future. Accra must not flood every time it rains,” Mahama asserted.
The President called on citizens, especially residents of flood-prone communities, to support the efforts by adhering to sanitation regulations, participating in clean-up exercises, and avoiding the reckless disposal of waste into drains.
As the rainy season approaches, President Mahama pledged swift action and regular public updates on the progress of the mitigation plan, reiterating his government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods through proactive leadership and practical solutions.
One Response
Bold initiative by the government. This will help to curb flood issues in Accra.