Accra Flooding Crisis is Self-Inflicted, Says Engineers' President

Accra's worsening flooding problems are not natural disasters. They are caused by human actions and poor city planning. The President of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE), Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, made this clear. He stated that the city has essentially "brought this on itself." This situation has developed over many years.

Ing. Hesse explained that flooding in Accra has become predictable. It happens annually now. Previously, major floods were rare events, occurring maybe once every 10 to 20 years. Now, it is a certainty every year. This change is due to decades of unregulated development. This development has destroyed the city's natural ability to manage water. Low-lying areas and water retention zones have been filled in and built upon. These are places where construction should never have happened.

This uncontrolled building has sped up water flow. Rainwater now rushes into the city much faster than before. Water that once took 12 hours to travel from Aburi to Accra now takes only about an hour. The natural systems that slowed down water movement have been destroyed. Nearly all areas that used to absorb floodwaters are compromised. This means the risk of severe flooding increases significantly each rainy season. This is a serious issue for Ghana's economy and its citizens living in vulnerable areas. The scale of infrastructure damage and displacement caused by such floods can be substantial year after year.

The GhIE President also highlighted other contributing factors. Dumping rubbish into drains and waterways is a major problem. This fills up drainage channels with silt and plastic waste. These channels are already struggling to cope. Furthermore, people continue to build on top of waterways. They also develop on vital areas that collect floodwater. Areas like Sakumono, Teshie, and Korle are being developed this way. Ing. Hesse warned that continuing such practices will lead to disaster. This uncontrolled encroachment represents a significant financial and social cost to the nation.

Ing. Hesse criticized past responses to flooding. He noted that governments have mainly focused on expanding drainage systems. This is a "downstream" approach. It tries to manage water after it has already caused problems. He believes this strategy has failed to address the root causes. The natural water retention areas are gone. So, water still overwhelms the expanded systems. The only viable option is an "upstream" approach. This means retaining rainwater closer to where it falls. Each household should hold rainwater and release it slowly later. While this requires a large-scale effort, it offers a practical long-term solution. This shift in strategy is crucial for mitigating future economic losses and ensuring public safety.