Mahama Vows Lasting Solution to Accra Flooding After Aerial Assessment

President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to implement lasting measures to address Accra’s recurring flooding following an aerial inspection of communities affected by Sunday’s heavy rains. Describing the disaster as one of the worst in recent years, he assured Ghanaians that the government would pursue both immediate relief efforts and long-term interventions to prevent future flooding.

The President said preliminary data indicated that about 140 millimetres of rain fell over Accra in a single day, making it one of the heaviest rainfall events recorded in recent years. He noted that rainfall has become increasingly intense due to climate change, placing enormous pressure on drainage systems and leaving little time for waterways to recover between storms.

Mr Mahama also blamed rapid urbanisation, illegal construction on waterways, poor drainage planning, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the destruction of wetlands for worsening the flooding. He announced that the government would identify and remove buildings obstructing major drainage channels while strengthening enforcement against illegal developments and dumping.

As part of a long-term strategy, the President said the government intends to ease pressure on Accra by relocating some state institutions and developing a new growth centre outside the capital over the coming years. The project will include roads, electricity, water, and other essential infrastructure to encourage population and business growth beyond Accra.

President Mahama expressed sympathy to families who lost loved ones and property, praised emergency responders for their rescue efforts, and directed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to provide immediate assistance to affected residents. He also urged Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices and support efforts to find a permanent solution to the capital’s flooding problem.