President John Dramani Mahama has directed a nationwide exercise to identify and remove structures and debris obstructing drainage channels in Accra following devastating floods that affected several parts of the capital.
The directive comes after the President conducted an aerial inspection of flood-hit communities on Monday, June 29, and toured affected areas to assess the extent of the damage.
Speaking after the inspection, President Mahama said the government will convene a National Security Council meeting to coordinate a stronger and more sustainable response to Accra’s recurring flooding challenges.
He said Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, will identify blocked waterways and drainage systems for immediate intervention.
“We’re asking every district to identify, together with the Works and Housing Ministry, where the blockages in the channels are so that we can earmark those places for removal,” he said.
The President stressed that the exercise will not focus only on demolishing structures built on waterways but will also include the removal of rubble and waste left behind, which continue to obstruct the free flow of water.
“We’ll not only break the houses. We have to move the rubble out of the way because there’s no use breaking a house and leaving the rubble in the waterways,” he added.
President Mahama said tackling Accra’s flooding problem requires both immediate enforcement measures and long-term planning.
He revealed that government is developing a 20-year urban development strategy aimed at reducing pressure on Accra by creating a new growth centre outside the capital and relocating some major public institutions.
“We’ll do the roads, bring the water and electricity so that it eases the pressure on Accra as a city,” he said.
The President expressed sympathy to families, businesses and communities affected by the floods, describing the destruction as extensive.
He commended the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Police Service, the Ministry of Works and Housing, emergency responders and the 48 Engineers Regiment for their rescue operations, including evacuations carried out with boats.
President Mahama also directed the Minister of Finance to release funds from the Contingency Fund to support immediate relief efforts for flood victims.
He urged Ghanaians to adopt better environmental practices, warning that continued neglect of drainage systems and waterways has contributed significantly to the repeated flooding experienced in Accra.
“This time should be different,” the President said, calling for sustained measures to end the capital’s long-running flood crisis.
