The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced a major sanitation and flood prevention exercise aimed at tackling the growing threat of flooding across the capital, as heavy rains continue to expose longstanding drainage and waste management challenges.
The exercise, dubbed “Operation Free Choked Drains,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, across all sub metros, markets, lorry parks, residential communities, and business districts within the Accra metropolis.
According to the Assembly, the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to reduce flood risks during the peak rainy season by clearing drains, removing waste from waterways, and improving the flow of stormwater through the city’s drainage network.
The operation comes amid increasing concern over recurring floods that have affected thousands of residents and caused widespread disruption to economic activities in several parts of the capital this year.
Flooding Continues to Threaten Communities
Since the start of the rainy season, several communities across Accra have experienced significant flooding following heavy downpours.
Areas including Circle, Kaneshie, Weija, Mallam Junction, and sections of the Central Business District have recorded flood incidents that left roads submerged, properties damaged, and residents displaced.
The situation has once again highlighted the vulnerability of many communities to flooding and renewed debate over the need for sustained interventions to improve drainage infrastructure.
One of the most serious incidents occurred earlier this year in the Odawna Sahara enclave of Adabraka, where disaster management reports indicated that more than 3,000 residents were affected by floodwaters following a major rainfall event.
The recurring floods have not only disrupted daily life but have also imposed significant economic costs on households and businesses, many of which continue to suffer losses from damaged goods, property destruction, and interrupted commercial activities.
Operation Free Choked Drains
The AMA says the upcoming exercise will focus on clearing key drainage channels and removing waste materials that obstruct the free movement of water.
Activities planned under the operation include desilting drains, clearing clogged waterways, removing refuse from public spaces, and sweeping streets across the metropolis.
Officials believe these measures will significantly improve the capacity of drainage systems to handle stormwater during periods of heavy rainfall. In a statement announcing the exercise, the Assembly identified choked drains, silted gutters, and indiscriminate waste disposal as major contributors to flooding within the city.
Authorities stressed that maintaining clear drainage channels remains one of the most effective ways to reduce flood risks and protect lives, businesses, and public infrastructure.
The Assembly also announced that trading activities, including hawking and table top businesses, will be temporarily suspended until the exercise is completed. Officials say the temporary restrictions are necessary to ensure the smooth execution of the clean up operation and maximize its impact.
Experts Call for Long Term Solutions
While many residents have welcomed the initiative, environmental and urban planning experts continue to emphasize the need for comprehensive long term solutions to Accra’s flooding challenges.
According to experts, poor waste management practices, rapid urban expansion, and the continued encroachment on waterways have significantly increased the city’s exposure to flood disasters.
They argue that although periodic clean up exercises remain important, lasting progress will require substantial investment in drainage infrastructure, improved urban planning, and stronger enforcement of sanitation regulations.
Experts further note that the effects of climate variability and increasing rainfall intensity make it even more urgent for authorities to strengthen flood resilience measures across the capital.
Many believe a combination of infrastructure upgrades and behavioral change among residents will be necessary to achieve sustainable flood prevention.
Enforcement Measures to Accompany Exercise
The AMA has indicated that enforcement will be a key component of the operation. Authorities have warned that individuals who obstruct the exercise, ignore directives, or continue trading during the operation may face arrest, prosecution, or other sanctions under existing sanitation laws.
The Assembly says strict enforcement is necessary to ensure compliance and demonstrate the seriousness of efforts to address the flooding problem.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has renewed calls for residents to avoid dumping refuse into drains and waterways.
The agency maintains that human activities remain among the leading causes of urban flooding and has urged communities to adopt responsible waste disposal practices.
Shared Responsibility for Flood Prevention
As weather forecasts continue to predict periods of heavy rainfall across the Greater Accra Region, the AMA is appealing to residents, transport operators, businesses, civil society groups, and community organizations to actively participate in the exercise.
The Assembly believes flood prevention cannot be achieved through government action alone and requires collective commitment from all stakeholders.
Officials say the success of the campaign will depend not only on the clearing of drains but also on sustained public cooperation in keeping waterways free from waste and obstructions.
With flooding continuing to threaten lives, homes, and livelihoods across Accra, authorities hope the citywide exercise will help reduce immediate risks while reinforcing the importance of long term sanitation and environmental responsibility.
For many residents who have endured repeated flood disasters, the operation represents both an urgent intervention and a reminder that preventing future floods will require sustained action long after the clean up exercise has ended.
READ ALSO: Mahama Rings London Bell, Woos Global Investors to GSE
