President John Dramani Mahama has intensified his call for more rigorous enforcement of planning regulations in Accra, warning that officials who permit construction in waterways will be dismissed as the government intensifies its efforts to tackle the city’s ongoing flooding.
During a diaspora town hall meeting in the United Kingdom on Sunday, May 31, he stated that the flooding challenges in the capital are primarily caused by human activities rather than deficiencies in engineering.
He elaborated that although Accra possesses drainage systems, inadequate waste management—particularly the disposal of plastics—continues to obstruct waterways and worsen flooding during heavy rainfall.
He noted that lax enforcement of land-use regulations has also played a significant role in exacerbating the issue, with unauthorized construction encroaching on natural drainage routes. He warned that such actions endanger communities, making them vulnerable to preventable disasters, especially when dams overflow or release water during heavy rainfalls.
“…During the dry season, traditional leaders and landowners sell land to individuals in the spillway of the Weija Dam. Consequently, when the rains arrive and the spillway is opened, your home becomes inundated with water. People then question why the government is not addressing the flooding issue. The answer is that you constructed your home in an inappropriate location.
“We must hold accountable those who authorize the permits for such constructions. I have instructed the Minister for Local Government to investigate who is granting permits for building in these waterways. We will dismiss them to serve as a deterrent,” he affirmed.
He also revealed that the government will take action to demolish structures that obstruct water channels, emphasizing that these measures are essential to protect lives and property and to mitigate the ongoing flooding crisis in the capital.
