President John Dramani Mahama has attributed persistent flooding in parts of Accra to human activities and poor enforcement of planning regulations rather than shortcomings in engineering infrastructure.
Speaking at a diaspora town hall meeting at the Dominion Centre in London on Sunday, May 31, 2026, the President said widespread indiscipline, including the construction of buildings on waterways and the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste into drains, remains a major cause of flooding in the capital.
According to President Mahama, the development of medium-to-high-risk flood zones, particularly along the Densu River basin, has further exacerbated the situation.
He also raised concerns about the encroachment on Ramsar sites, protected wetlands that serve as important ecological habitats and natural flood control systems.
“Indiscipline, not engineering, is the main cause of flooding,” the President stated, explaining that wetlands play a critical role in absorbing rainwater and gradually releasing it into the sea.
He noted that when wetlands are filled and converted into residential or commercial developments, their capacity to contain excess water is significantly reduced, increasing the risk of flooding in surrounding communities.
The President further criticized the sale of lands situated on waterways, accusing some traditional authorities of facilitating developments in vulnerable areas.
“Our traditional rulers are selling plots in streams,” he said, warning that the continued destruction of wetlands and waterways diminishes the natural systems that help manage heavy rainfall and protect communities from flooding.
President John Dramani Mahama stressed the need for stricter enforcement of planning regulations and greater public responsibility in addressing the recurring flooding challenges facing Accra.
Story: Ruth Quaye
