Flooding in Ghana: It is time to empower our local assemblies – Kobina Amoasekyi-Amuah, Patrice Dzontoh write

1.0 Introduction

Every year, with the onset of the rainy season, the same heartbreaking scenes unfold across Accra and many other parts of Ghana. Roads become rivers, homes are submerged, businesses are destroyed, livelihoods are disrupted, and, tragically, lives are sometimes lost. Public debate often focuses on poor drainage systems, climate change, and the intensity of rainfall. While these are contributing factors, they do not tell the whole story.

The uncomfortable truth is that many of the causes of flooding are preventable. Poor sanitation, indiscriminate waste disposal, uncontrolled urbanization, weak enforcement of planning regulations, environmental degradation, and institutional capacity constraints have collectively created a situation where flooding has become almost predictable.

The recent flooding incidents across Ghana provide compelling evidence that the country can no longer rely solely on emergency response while neglecting prevention. On Monday, 29th June 2026, several hours of heavy rainfall submerged large sections of Accra, disrupting the morning commute, stranding commuters, flooding homes and businesses, and rendering major roads impassable. Communities including Weija, Spintex, Circle, Ashaiman, Tetegu, Tse Addo, Alajo and other low-lying areas experienced severe flooding, while power outages and traffic gridlock compounded the hardship for thousands of residents. The flooding once again exposed the persistent problems of blocked drains, uncontrolled development on waterways, poor waste management, and weak enforcement of planning regulations.

The devastation was not limited to Accra. Earlier in June 2026, prolonged rainfall caused widespread flooding in parts of the Western North Region, including Enchi, where homes, roads and businesses were inundated after nearly fourteen hours of continuous rain.

Even more worrying is the recurring flooding in mining communities such as Samreboi and surrounding areas, where illegal mining (galamsey) has severely degraded the natural environment. Years of indiscriminate mining have stripped vegetation, destroyed wetlands, altered river channels and heavily silted rivers, drastically reducing their capacity to contain stormwater. During heavy rains, rivers that once flowed within their natural banks now overflow with devastating consequences for nearby communities. The flooding experienced in these areas is therefore not simply a result of intense rainfall but also a direct consequence of environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities. The continued pollution and degradation of rivers such as the Tano and Ankobra basins should serve as a national warning that environmental crimes eventually translate into humanitarian and economic disasters.

These recent events reinforce an important lesson: flooding in Ghana is no longer merely a weather event it is a governance challenge. Heavy rainfall may be inevitable, but disasters of this magnitude are largely driven by human actions. Choked drains filled with plastic waste, buildings erected on waterways, indiscriminate sand winning, destruction of wetlands, poor land use planning, and weak enforcement of environmental and building regulations have significantly increased the country’s vulnerability. Unless Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are empowered with adequate logistics, skilled personnel, technology and the political backing to enforce existing laws without fear or favour, Ghana will continue to witness avoidable flooding with enormous social and economic costs.

Rather than waiting until disaster strikes before mobilizing relief efforts by National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ghana must shift its focus from emergency response to prevention. At the centre of this preventive approach must be our Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

2.0 The Forgotten Frontline Institutions

The MMDAs are the first line of defence in ensuring orderly physical development, environmental sanitation, waste management, and enforcement of building regulations. Within these Assemblies, the Building Inspectorate Divisions and Physical Planning Departments are mandated to monitor construction activities, enforce planning laws, prevent unauthorized developments, and protect waterways, wetlands, and drainage corridors from encroachment.

Unfortunately, these departments are among the least resourced institutions in local governance. Many operate with inadequate staffing, limited logistics, insufficient operational funds, and obsolete equipment. Some inspectorate units responsible for monitoring entire municipalities have only a few officers without dedicated vehicles to conduct routine inspections.

Expecting effective enforcement under such conditions is unrealistic.

3.0 Flooding Begins with Poor Environmental Governance

Flooding is not simply the result of heavy rainfall; it is often the consequence of years of environmental neglect and Nature has spoken loudly.

Across many communities, drains have become dumping sites for plastic waste and household refuse. Open spaces that naturally absorb rainwater have been converted into buildings and commercial developments. Wetlands that once served as natural flood buffers have disappeared under concrete structures. Rivers and streams have been narrowed or diverted by unauthorized developments.

Illegal sand winning, indiscriminate tree felling, destruction of vegetation, and poor land-use practices have further reduced the environment’s ability to absorb runoff. As urban areas continue to expand without proper planning, rainfall that should naturally infiltrate the soil is rapidly channelled into already clogged drainage systems, leading to devastating floods.

The flooding experienced in Accra, Kasoa, Tema, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Takoradi, Ho, and several other towns is therefore not merely a natural disaster it is also a governance challenge.

4.0 Sanitation Must Become Everyone’s Responsibility

Poor sanitation remains one of Ghana’s biggest environmental problems.

Plastic bottles, polythene bags, food containers, and other solid waste continue to choke drains and waterways despite repeated public education campaigns. While citizens must accept responsibility for indiscriminate littering, Assemblies also have an obligation to enforce sanitation by-laws consistently.

Communities cannot continue to treat public drains as refuse dumps and expect different outcomes during every rainy season.

Environmental cleanliness should not only become a monthly exercise but an everyday civic responsibility supported by strong enforcement.

5.0 Why Corporate Ghana Should Look Beyond Traditional Donations

Corporate organisations, financial institutions, mining companies, telecommunications firms, manufacturing companies, and wealthy individuals frequently support national causes by donating vehicles, equipment, and other logistics to security agencies, sports teams, hospitals, and educational institutions. These contributions are commendable and have positively impacted national development.

However, one institution that has received comparatively little attention is our local government system.

Imagine the impact, if corporate organisations adopted Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assemblies as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Imagine Building Inspectorate Divisions equipped with:

            Modern inspection vehicles and motorcycles.

            Drones for monitoring unauthorized developments.

            Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital mapping technology.

            Mobile devices for field inspections and reporting.

            Modern surveying equipment.

            Environmental monitoring tools.

            Adequate office infrastructure and logistics.

Such investments would significantly strengthen compliance monitoring and improve enforcement before illegal developments become permanent.

Preventing one major flood saves far more resources than rebuilding communities after disaster strikes.

6.0 Assemblies Must Also Become More Proactive

While central government support remains important, Assemblies themselves must become more innovative and proactive in mobilizing resources.

Leadership is not merely about waiting for budget releases from central government. It is about identifying local challenges, developing practical solutions, engaging stakeholders, and mobilizing partnerships.

Every Assembly should develop compelling investment proposals highlighting priority environmental and infrastructure needs within their jurisdiction. These proposals can be presented to banks, manufacturing companies, mining firms, telecommunication companies, faith based organisations, development partners, philanthropists, and successful business people originating from the district.

Many successful individuals are willing to contribute to the development of their hometowns when they are presented with transparent, well-structured projects that demonstrate measurable community impact.

Assemblies should establish dedicated Resource Mobilization and Partnership Units responsible for identifying funding opportunities, preparing investment proposals, engaging corporate institutions, and ensuring accountability for all donated resources.

7.0 Enforcement Must Be Firm and Consistent

One of the greatest weaknesses in Ghana’s environmental governance is inconsistent enforcement.

Illegal structures are often allowed to continue despite clear violations of planning regulations. Political interference, lengthy legal processes, and weak institutional support frequently undermine enforcement officers.

This culture must change.

Building regulations should be applied fairly and consistently regardless of social status or political affiliation. Unauthorized developments within waterways, wetlands, and drainage reserves should be halted immediately before they become disasters waiting to happen.

Enforcement should not be punitive for its own sake; rather, it should protect lives, property, and public investments.

8.0 Technology Can Transform Local Governance

The digital transformation agenda should extend to local government administration.

Assemblies should adopt digital permit management systems, GIS-based development monitoring, drone surveillance, satellite imagery, and electronic reporting platforms to improve planning and enforcement.

Residents should also be able to report blocked drains, illegal developments, indiscriminate dumping, and environmental offences through mobile applications and dedicated online platforms.

Technology would improve transparency, reduce delays, minimise corruption, and enhance accountability.

9.0 Citizens Must Become Active Partners

Government alone cannot solve Ghana’s flooding problem.

Every resident has a role to play by disposing of waste responsibly, participating in community clean-up exercises, protecting public drains, reporting illegal developments, and complying with planning regulations.

Flood prevention begins with everyday decisions made by households, businesses, developers, and communities.

10.0 A National Investment in Prevention

The cost of preventing floods is far lower than the economic losses caused by recurring disasters.

Every year, millions of cedis are spent on emergency relief, reconstruction of damaged roads, replacement of public infrastructure, healthcare, and compensation for affected communities. These resources could instead be invested in strengthening local governance institutions that prevent such disasters from occurring.

Empowering the MMDAs is therefore not merely an administrative reform; it is an investment in national resilience, environmental sustainability, economic productivity, and public safety.

If Ghana is serious about ending the annual cycle of flooding, we must stop treating our local assemblies as peripheral institutions. They are the institutions closest to the people and best positioned to enforce the regulations that protect our communities.

The time has come for central government, Parliament, development partners, corporate Ghana, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, and citizens to collectively invest in stronger local governance.

A cleaner environment, better planned communities, effective enforcement, and well-resourced Assemblies will not eliminate heavy rainfall but they will significantly reduce the devastating floods that continue to threaten lives and livelihoods across our nation.

The solution is within our reach. What is required now is the collective will to act.

Authored by

KOBINA AMOASEKYI-AMUAH

DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNANCE, AND HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE.

PATRICE DZONTOH

GOVERNANCE EXPERT/SENIOR ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (SAR)

UNIVERSITY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (UESD)-SOMANYA

References

1. Ansah, M. E. (2026, June 27). Galamsey-induced flooding: Are we reaping what we excavated? Graphic Online. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-galamsey-induced-flooding-are-we-reaping-what-we-excavated.html
2. Citi Newsroom. (2026, June 30). Heavy rains flood parts of Accra, disrupt morning commute. https://citinewsroom.com/2026/06/heavy-rains-flood-parts-of-accra-disrupt-morning-commute/
3. GhanaWeb. (2026, June 23). ‘Only 5 to 10 percent of Samreboi flooded’ – Regional Minister. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Only-5-to-10-percent-of-Samreboi-flooded-Regional-Minister-2040353
4. Environmental Protection Agency (2025). Annual Report. Accra, Ghana.
5. Forestry Commission (2025). State of Ghana’s Forests Report. Accra, Ghana.
6. MyJoyOnline. (2026, June 24). Samreboi flooding: A case of years of degradation by illegal mining [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd-N1-j0ZYk
7. Water Resource Commission (2025). Annual Water Resources Status Report. Accra, Ghana.