Accra Floods: Mahama Orders Demolition of Structures Blocking Waterways, Releases Emergency Relief Funds

President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate removal of all structures obstructing drainage channels across Accra and directed the release of emergency funds to support victims of Monday’s devastating floods.

The directive follows an aerial inspection of flood-affected communities on June 29, during which the President assessed the extent of destruction caused by the heavy rains.

Speaking after the tour, President Mahama announced that the government will convene a National Security Council meeting to coordinate a comprehensive response to the capital’s persistent flooding problem.

He instructed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), working together with the Ministry responsible for Works, Housing and Water Resources, to identify all blocked drainage channels for immediate action.

“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 stated.

The President stressed that the exercise must go beyond demolishing illegal structures, emphasizing that all debris must be cleared from waterways to ensure 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 said.

President Mahama noted that while immediate enforcement measures are necessary, the government is also pursuing long-term solutions to reduce pressure on Accra’s infrastructure.

He revealed that plans are underway to develop a new urban growth centre outside the capital as part of a 20-year national development strategy. The initiative will involve relocating major public institutions from Accra while investing in roads, water and electricity infrastructure to encourage settlement and investment in the new city.

“We’ll do the roads, bring the water and electricity so that it eases the pressure on Accra as a city,” he explained.

Expressing sympathy to families and businesses affected by the floods, President Mahama described the devastation as significant and commended the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ministry responsible for Works and Housing, emergency responders and the 48 Engineers Regiment for their swift rescue operations, including the evacuation of stranded residents by boat.

To support relief efforts, the President directed the Minister for Finance to release money from the Contingency Fund to provide immediate assistance to affected victims.

He also called for greater public responsibility in environmental management, warning that indiscriminate development, poor waste disposal and the persistent obstruction of drainage systems continue to worsen flooding in the capital.

“This time should be different,” President Mahama said, urging sustained action to permanently address Accra’s recurring flood crisis.