Floods in Accra? “Our attitude is the solution,” says Civil Engineer Emmanuel Kwadwo Asante
Civil engineer Emmanuel Kwadwo Asante has attributed Ghana’s recurring flood disasters to poor maintenance of drainage systems, illegal construction, and changing public attitudes, insisting that the country’s drains are not the primary problem.
Speaking on the country’s flood challenges citing floods and fire raids at Odawna Market on Monday June 29,2029 via Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Asante said “our attitude is the solution,” stressing that changing public behaviour is just as important as investing in infrastructure.
He lamented that many residents have abandoned the practice of keeping backyard gardens, choosing instead to tile and pave every available space.
According to him, this reduces the land’s ability to absorb rainwater and contributes significantly to flooding.
Asante also expressed concern over increasing cases of people constructing buildings without first obtaining the required permits.
He questioned the ongoing demolition of structures blamed for obstructing waterways, arguing that authorities should first establish whether the affected buildings were legally approved.
“We don’t have any proof to ascertain the fact that those buildings marked for demolition have shown their building permits,” he said.
The engineer maintained that Ghana’s drainage infrastructure is generally capable of handling stormwater but suffers from poor maintenance, particularly the failure to regularly desilt choked drains.
“It is the duty of the assemblies to desilt choked drains,” he stated, urging Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to prioritize routine maintenance to prevent flooding.
His comments come amid renewed discussions on sustainable solutions to Ghana’s perennial flooding, with experts calling for stricter enforcement of planning regulations, improved drainage maintenance, and greater public responsibility.
By Maurice Otoo
