President John Dramani Mahama toured flood-affected areas of Accra and Tema on Monday alongside members of the Anti-Flood Task Force, as the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources confirmed that the government is intensifying its response to days of sustained heavy rainfall that have battered the capital and surrounding areas.
The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, said he accompanied President Mahama and other task force members on a tour of the affected areas on the afternoon of June 29, following long hours of rainfall that stretched into the day.
He said the visit helped validate the causes of the flooding already identified by officials and allowed the team to evaluate remedial solutions under consideration.
According to the Minister, Accra, Tema and surrounding areas have experienced sustained heavy rains since June 27, leading to widespread flooding that has affected homes, businesses and public infrastructure, particularly in low lying areas, and disrupted economic and social activities across the region.
Government Expresses Sympathy and Commitment to Recovery
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Ghana and the Ministry, Hon. Adjei extended sympathy to all individuals, families, and communities affected by the flooding.
He said the government fully appreciates the pain, disruption and economic hardship the floods will impose on households, traders, transport operators and businesses, and assured those who have suffered losses that government remains fully committed to supporting relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Ministry Points to Combined Causes Behind Recurring Floods
The Minister said the latest flooding once again highlights the growing challenges posed by extreme weather patterns, rapid urbanization and increasing pressure on drainage infrastructure.
While climate variability continues to intensify rainfall events, he said the impact of human activity, particularly encroachment on waterways, indiscriminate waste disposal and noncompliance with planning regulations, cannot be overstated.
He argued that addressing the persistent challenge requires shared responsibility among public institutions, local authorities, traditional leaders, businesses and citizens.
According to the Minister,sustainable flood management can only be achieved when these groups collectively protect waterways, maintain proper sanitation, and adhere strictly to land-use and environmental regulations.
Agencies Coordinate Emergency Response
Hon. Adjei said the Ministry, through the Ghana Hydrological Authority, is working closely with the National Disaster Management Organisation, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, security services and other stakeholders to implement immediate response measures.
These interventions include deploying emergency response teams, providing evacuation support where necessary, supplying relief items to displaced persons, conducting ongoing assessments of damaged infrastructure and carrying out intensified drainage clearing activities in critical flood prone locations.
Enforcement Operations Target Illegal Structures on Waterways
The Minister disclosed that the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, working with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, has carried out extensive enforcement operations across the city over the past few weeks to address activities that contribute to flooding.
He said these actions have focused on removing illegal structures and obstructions along drainage channels, waterways, wetlands and other critical natural water retention areas.
He added that the Ministry will continue working with relevant authorities to intensify and sustain these enforcement efforts, particularly around protecting waterways and preserving natural drainage systems.
Desilting and Infrastructure Works Underway
Beyond enforcement, Hon. Adjei said the Ministry is taking urgent steps to undertake extensive desilting and excavation of major drainage channels and waterways that have become silted and obstructed following the recent heavy rains, with the goal of improving the flow and discharge of stormwater runoff.
He said this effort will be complemented by construction works, including new drainage channels aligned with naturally occurring water pathways to restore efficient water movement.
Government is also advancing broader interventions, the Minister said, including the expansion and rehabilitation of drainage infrastructure, enforcement of development controls in floodplains, strengthening of early warning systems and restoration of wetlands, lagoons and natural water detention areas aimed at reducing national flood vulnerability.
Public Urged to Prioritize Safety
While these efforts continue, the Ministry urged all residents, particularly those living near rivers, lagoons, drains and low-lying areas, to prioritize safety and strictly follow established flood safety protocols.
Residents were advised to move to higher ground when necessary, avoid walking or driving through floodwaters and ensure children stay away from flooded areas to prevent accidents and exposure to waterborne disease.
The Ministry also called on citizens to support ongoing efforts by refraining from dumping waste into drains, avoiding construction on waterways and complying fully with environmental and planning regulations.
“Together, through collective responsibility, discipline, and adherence to safety measures, we can significantly reduce the effects of flooding, safeguard lives and livelihoods, and build safer, more resilient communities for present and future generations.”
Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei
Hon. Adjei closed the statement by affirming the Ministry’s resolve to address both the immediate impacts and underlying causes of flooding while promoting long term resilience through improved drainage systems, better urban planning and stricter enforcement of existing regulations.
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