The President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), Ludwig Annang Hesse, has attributed Accra’s persistent flooding to decades of poor urban planning and ineffective stormwater management. According to him, Ghana has been approaching flood control the wrong way for more than 40 years, relying on outdated drainage systems that can no longer cope with rapid urban growth and changing rainfall patterns.
He explained that widespread paving of land surfaces, the loss of natural water-absorption areas, poor waste disposal practices, and uncontrolled development have overwhelmed the city’s drainage infrastructure. As a result, flooding has become a structural challenge rather than a seasonal occurrence.
The engineering body is calling for a major shift in Ghana’s flood management strategy. Among its proposals are improved urban planning, better coordination among institutions, modern stormwater systems, and the adoption of rainwater harvesting and storage solutions to reduce the volume of water flowing into drains during heavy rains.
GhIE stressed that unless these long-term measures are implemented, Accra will continue to experience recurring floods despite ongoing drainage projects and emergency interventions.
Source: myjoyonline.com
