One moment, an elderly woman was desperately fighting for her life as raging floodwaters swept through her neighbourhood. Her cries for help echoed across social media, becoming a
The report indicates that one moment, an elderly woman was desperately fighting for her life as raging floodwaters swept through her neighbourhood. Her cries for help echoed across social media, becoming a heartbreaking symbol of yet another disaster that caught thousands of Ghanaians off guard.
It further notes that days later, as floodwaters slowly receded and grieving families counted their losses, the nation watched leaders gather for a National Day of Thanksgiving.
For many Ghanaians, however, one question refused to disappear:
Must every rainy season become another national tragedy before meaningful action is taken?
The recent floods that devastated parts of Accra have once again exposed one of Ghana’s most persistent urban challenges. Homes were submerged, businesses destroyed, roads rendered impassable, and lives tragically lost. Beyond the immediate destruction, the disaster has reignited a national conversation about whether Ghana is doing enough to prepare for increasingly frequent and intense rainfall.
As climate change continues to increase the occurrence of extreme weather events across the globe, flooding is becoming a reality that every nation must confront. The difference is not whether heavy rains will fall, but whether cities are prepared to withstand them.
In the aftermath of the floods, many Ghanaians have pointed to one issue that has become impossible to ignore: poor waste management.
Across several communities in Accra, gutters designed to channel stormwater have become clogged with plastic waste, refuse, silt, and other debris. During heavy rainfall, these blocked drains are unable to carry water away efficiently, causing floodwaters to overflow into homes, businesses, and roads.
The scenes are painfully familiar. Every rainy season brings images of submerged vehicles, stranded commuters, collapsed structures, and desperate rescue operations. While heavy rainfall may be unavoidable, many citizens argue that the scale of destruction is not.
Another issue attracting widespread attention is the maintenance of drainage infrastructure.
A drainage system is only as effective as the care it receives. Without regular inspection, cleaning, and repairs, even well-designed storm water systems eventually lose their capacity to protect surrounding communities.
During a recent visit to Toronto, Canada, I observed the Black Creek stormwater channel, one of several flood-control systems that form part of the city’s broader stormwater management network. Throughout the year, these channels undergo routine maintenance to ensure water flows freely during periods of heavy rainfall.
No city has completely eliminated flood risk. Toronto itself has experienced severe flooding during extreme weather events. However, consistent investment in drainage maintenance, flood preparedness, and infrastructure planning remains an important component of the city’s resilience strategy.
Could Ghana benefit from placing greater emphasis on the routine maintenance of drains before the rains arrive instead of responding after disaster strikes?
