By Vivian Amoah
President John Dramani Mahama has attributed the recurring flooding in Accra largely to human indiscipline rather than engineering deficiencies, following an aerial inspection of flood-affected communities by helicopter.
Addressing the media after the assessment, the President said the capital’s drainage infrastructure is being undermined by indiscriminate disposal of waste, particularly plastic materials that end up blocking drains.
“The flooding in Accra is not an engineering problem. It is a problem of indiscipline,” he stated.
According to President Mahama, while some have advocated for covered or sealed drains, such measures alone cannot solve the flooding challenge if residents continue to litter indiscriminately.
He explained that discarded sachet water wrappers, Styrofoam food containers, and other plastic waste are routinely washed into drains during rainfall, causing blockages that impede the free flow of water.
The President noted that although authorities regularly desilt and clear the drains, the problem quickly reoccurs because the same practices continue.
“We clean the drains, cover them again, and within three, four, or five months they are clogged once more,” he said.
Beyond sanitation concerns, President Mahama pointed to Accra’s natural geography as another major factor contributing to flooding. He explained that the city lies between the Kwabenya Mountain Range and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a natural collection point for runoff.
The President stressed that addressing Accra’s perennial flooding will require not only improvements in drainage infrastructure but also greater public discipline in waste disposal and stricter enforcement against developments that obstruct natural watercourses.
