Flooding is a national development threat- President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama announced a comprehensive, multi-agency plan to address the Greater Accra Region’s ongoing flooding problem, saying that “enough is enough” and outlining specific steps to save lives, safeguard property, and rebuild public trust in urban infrastructure planning.

Speaking at a community event in Dodowa as part of his National Thank You Tour, President Mahama called flooding a serious national issue that has killed people, uprooted families, and frequently stopped the capital’s economy.

“Too many families have lost loved ones, homes have been washed away, and businesses have suffered unbearable losses,” he said. “This is unacceptable, and it must stop. We are declaring war on floods.”

Choked drains, uncontrolled building in waterways, inadequate city planning, and the growing effects of climate change are just a few of the environmental and human-caused elements he attributed to the ongoing catastrophe.

Flooding cannot be viewed as a seasonal annoyance any longer. We are treating it as a threat to national development,” President Mahama said.

The president disclosed that a special task force for flood mitigation has already been established and is operating in a number of high-risk regions. The team is now giving priority to interventions in hotspots including the Odaw Basin, the Kaneshie-Mallam corridor, and other flood-prone areas around the region. The team is made up of engineers, urban planners, environmental specialists, and NADMO staff.

The all-inclusive plan consists of:

Massive desilting of drains and waterways, especially those clogged with plastic waste and construction debris.

Engineering redesigns of key drainage systems to accommodate higher volumes of water.

Demolition or relocation of illegal structures built within waterways or obstructing runoff paths.

Community education campaigns to curb indiscriminate dumping and improve public understanding of flood risks.

Integration of flood control into national climate resilience policies to ensure long-term sustainability.

Under the direction of a revitalized Ministry of Works and Housing, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NADMO, and local government officials, President Mahama emphasized that these actions will be supported by sufficient finance and interagency coordination.

The flood mitigation plan, he added, is a component of the NDC’s “Resetting Ghana” platform, which aims to create safer, more intelligent, and sustainable urban development.

“Building a resilient future is more important than merely installing drains.” Every time it rains, Accra must not flood,” Mahama declared.

By following sanitation guidelines, taking part in cleanup activities, and refraining from carelessly disposing of rubbish down drains, the President urged citizens particularly those who live in flood-prone areas to assist the efforts.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods by proactive leadership and workable solutions, President Mahama promised prompt action and frequent public updates on the mitigation plan’s development as the rainy season draws near.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com