President John Dramani Mahama has announced sweeping measures to tackle Accra’s perennial flooding, including the removal of structures obstructing major drainage channels, following one of the heaviest rainfall events recorded in recent years.
Speaking after an aerial inspection of flood-affected communities in Accra on Monday, the President described the flooding as extensive and attributed it to a combination of climate change, rapid urbanisation, poor engineering and human activities.
“The amount of rainfall recorded today is among the highest experienced in several years. Preliminary data indicates that approximately 140 millimetres of rainfall fell on Accra.
By comparison, the highest single-day rainfall recorded last year was about 56 millimetres,” President Mahama said.
He explained that changing climate patterns have significantly increased rainfall over the past three years.
Citing data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), the President noted that Accra recorded about 85 millimetres of rainfall during a 30-day period in June 2024. That figure rose to 172 millimetres in the same period in 2025 and nearly doubled again to approximately 333 millimetres in June 2026.
“This means that our waterways no longer have sufficient time to recover before more rain falls,” he explained, adding that rainfall occurred on about 22 days in June, leaving very few dry days.
Beyond climate change, President Mahama identified blocked waterways, unplanned development and indiscriminate waste disposal as major contributors to the flooding.
“As the population has grown and development has intensified, buildings have increasingly obstructed the natural paths of these streams. We therefore need engineering solutions that will reopen these waterways and allow floodwaters to flow freely into the Atlantic Ocean,” he said.
The President also condemned the illegal dumping of refuse into drains and wetlands, revealing that aerial surveillance uncovered several unauthorized dumping sites.
“Some individuals have turned these wetlands into refuse disposal sites, charging operators of tricycles to dump waste there. Once these wetlands become filled with refuse, the same individuals sell the reclaimed land to unsuspecting people for housing development, further worsening the flooding situation,” he stated.
To address the challenge, President Mahama announced that the National Security Council will meet urgently to coordinate a nationwide enforcement exercise.
He said all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), working with the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, will identify structures obstructing major drainage channels for demolition.
“We will not only demolish the obstructing buildings but also clear away the rubble. There is no point demolishing a structure if the debris is left behind to continue obstructing the waterways,” he stressed.
The President acknowledged that such exercises often attract criticism but maintained that government must act decisively to protect lives and property.
“The irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk,” he said.
President Mahama further outlined a long-term strategy to decongest Accra by relocating some major government institutions outside the capital and developing a new growth centre over the next two decades.
He disclosed that government is currently preparing designs for the new city, after which land will be demarcated for development, supported by infrastructure including roads, water and electricity.
Expressing sympathy to flood victims, President Mahama assured affected families of immediate government assistance.
“I have directed NADMO to identify affected victims and provide immediate support wherever possible over the coming days. I have also instructed the Minister for Finance to release funds from the Contingency Fund to support post-flood relief efforts,” he announced.
The President commended the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, emergency response teams and the 48 Engineers Regiment for their rescue operations, describing their swift response as instrumental in saving lives.
He concluded by urging Ghanaians to change their attitudes towards sanitation, waste disposal and construction in flood-prone areas.
“We must find a permanent solution to the flooding challenge in Accra. We should not behave like the proverbial vulture that says it will repair its roof after the rains, only to forget about it once the weather clears. This time, we must act differently,” President Mahama said.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
