The rains are here again, and as usual, the same scenes play out every season across Accra. Knee-deep water in Kaneshie, Awoshie, Weija, Gbawe and Adentan, and cars floating on the Pantang road and other parts of the capital, remain a daily ritual.
What was once called “unusual” is now routine. The floods are no longer just a drainage problem. They are a climate problem, which is why the issue must be tackled with a climate-centered approach.
Mr. Roland Affail Monney, former President of the GJA, tells me floods in Accra used to be rare. Today, a 2-hour downpour is enough to shut down the city, leaving it in a state of comatose.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) reports that rainfall intensity has increased over the last 20 years, with more rain falling in shorter periods. This is why our drainage systems, built for a different climate era, must be redesigned to contain the current situation.
As it stands, our drainage system simply cannot cope.It is true that human behavior, poor waste disposal, and unplanned construction make the problem worse, but scientifically, they don’t cause the heavier rainfall.
According to climatechange.academy, global warming means the atmosphere holds more moisture, which means when it rains in Accra now, it rains harder and faster than before. Scientists term this situation “intensification,” and any time Accra experiences intensification, Accra seems to be drowning.
For instance, Awoshie and Mallam now flood anytime it rains, but this didn’t use to be so some years back. Part of the reason is that the Ramsar Site at Mallam, which normally receives the flood waters, has been given off to private developers who have taken over large portions of the protected space.
That space normally receives water from Awoshie and beyond, so the water struggles to flow out. This is why, as a country, we need to be serious and intentional in confronting the situation head-on.
Adapting climate-resilient strategies is also critical, which requires action on 3 fronts: Desilt drains year-round, not just in May, and invest in modern stormwater systems. Protect wetlands that naturally absorb water. Stop dumping refuse in drains. We are aware that one plastic bag can block a gutter and flood a whole street, yet in Accra people prefer to dump heavy bags of refuse while it’s raining.
This is where law enforcement is critical in curbing what many have tagged as “the nonsense must stop.” Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, must integrate climate projections into all urban planning, taking into consideration building codes and waterways.
The floods of 2026 will be different from those of 2010.Politicians can do the political blame game and debate over whose tenure has witnessed the worst flood disaster, but they can certainly no longer debate the climate. The rains are telling us something. Incessant Accra flooding is not just a Ghana problem. It is a climate change signal, written in water on our streets.
Protection of our environment and prioritising climate change is crucial in curtailing the incessant Accra flooding. If you think the environment is less important than the economy, hold your breath while counting your money. We can’t continue using the same old solutions and expect different results.
If we act like climate change is still “future talk,” Accra will keep paying for it with every rainfall. The time to adapt is now, while we still have streets left to save.
The Writer, Michael Petit Mawugbe (Efo Mawugbe), is a Communications and Media Specialist, Editor, and the President of the Online Publishers Association of Ghana (OPAG). Source: www.senaradioonline.com
